Major News Networks Decline Pentagon's New Press Policy

Several major news organizations, including NBC News, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, and Fox News Media, have announced they will not sign the Pentagon's new press policy before the stipulated deadline. This decision aligns them with other media outlets that view the policy as restrictive to journalistic practices.

"Today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagon’s new requirements, which would restrict journalists’ ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues," the networks stated jointly.

The policy stipulates that reporters could have their press passes revoked if they publish information not authorized for release by the Pentagon, even if the information is unclassified. The Defense Department set a deadline of 5 p.m. ET Tuesday for media professionals to sign the policy. Those who decline are required to surrender their Pentagon press credentials and vacate their spaces within 24 hours.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commented on the matter, stating, "Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right."

Other news organizations, including The Atlantic, The Associated Press, The Guardian, Newsmax, NPR, Reuters, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, have also refused to sign the policy. The Associated Press expressed that the policy "undermines the First Amendment and AP’s core values as an independent global news organization."

In contrast, One America News Network (OANN) has agreed to the policy. OANN President Charles Herring confirmed, "After thorough review of the revised press policy by our attorney, OAN staff has signed the document."

The Pentagon's new policy has drawn criticism from various press advocacy groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, the National Press Club, and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.