The New York Times has launched a federal lawsuit against the US Department of Defence and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, challenging what it describes as unconstitutional restrictions on press freedoms imposed by the Trump administration.
New Pentagon Rules Spark Legal Battle
In October, journalists assigned to cover the Pentagon were presented with a new 21-page form to sign. The document, issued under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, required reporters to agree not to solicit information not approved by officials and to limit their movements within the military command headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court in Washington DC on Thursday, argues these policies are designed to control narratives the government dislikes. Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesperson for the newspaper, stated the action "is an attempt to exert control over reporting the government dislikes" and that the Times "intends to vigorously defend against the violation of these rights".
A Fundamental Threat to Independent Journalism
The legal challenge contends the Pentagon's policy violates the First Amendment. It specifically targets rules that could punish journalists for reporting any information not approved by department officials, regardless of whether the gathering occurs on or off Pentagon grounds or if the information is classified.
"The policy seeks to restrict journalists' ability to do what journalists have always done – ask questions of government employees and gather information to report stories that take the public beyond official pronouncements," the lawsuit asserts. It further claims the changes aim to fundamentally restrict coverage by either limiting publishable information or driving independent news organisations out of the Pentagon entirely.
Industry-Wide Resistance and Official Defence
The move has sparked broad resistance from major news outlets. In October, the five major US broadcast networks collectively condemned the policy as "without precedent" and a threat to core journalistic protections. Many leading organisations turned in their Pentagon credentials in protest.
However, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the policy, stating it only asks reporters to acknowledge understanding the rules, not to agree with them. He characterised the reaction as a "full blown meltdown" and said the department stands by the policy as "what's best for our troops and the national security of this country."
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of shifting media access. A recent Pentagon press briefing featured right-wing media figures and pundits, signalling a potential preference for outlets perceived as more loyal to the Trump administration than the traditional press corps.
