Pentagon Pledges: Journalists Choose Freedom Over 'Press-Slavery'
In a dramatic Pentagon showdown last month, major news outlets including The Washington Post, The Atlantic, NPR, Reuters, and even Newsmax and the Washington Times said 'no thanks' to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's new press pledge, which threatens to yank credentials for reporting not Pentagon-approved. Reporters faced a 5pm Tuesday deadline to sign this exclusive contract for the privilege of supposedly being allowed to report on $1 trillion taxpayer-funded military secrets. The Pentagon tried to sweeten the deal by not asking journalists to pre-approve stories yet still warned of credential revocation. Only OAN embraced the pledge, proving even in media wars some choose smiles over subpoenas. Fun fact: Pentagon in Feb replaced NPR and CNN offices inside the Pentagon with conservative outlets including Newsmax and Daily Caller, because diversity means rotating exclusion.
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The Pentagonâs latest move is like demanding reporters sign a loyalty card promising not to spill military secrets or lose their backstage pass. Spoiler: Most said âno wayâ except that one friend who always says yes to everything.
Turns out press freedom comes with a fine print: sign our secret-keepersâ contract or get locked out of the Pentagon snack room. Journalists unanimously replied: Sorry, we prefer our rights unsnackable.
Imagine being told you canât report on the $1 trillion military budget unless you sign a pledge that basically says 'tell no tales.' Only one media outlet raised their hand. Guess whoâs the âgood dogâ of Pentagon press policy?
Source: Axios | Published: 10/14/2025 | Author: Sara Fischer
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