Dozens of reporters walk out of the Pentagon over media access pledge

Dozens of reporters walked out of the Pentagon this week after refusing to sign a new Defense Department media access pledge that they said would curb routine newsgathering; the department said the measure is intended to protect national security. The departures, culminating at a deadline set by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, removed many long-standing credentialed journalists from workspaces inside the building and left the Pentagon’s press area largely emptied.

The Pentagon circulated a detailed access policy that requires credentialed reporters to agree not to solicit or publish material the department has not authorized for release and imposes limits on unescorted access in parts of the complex. The guidance also permits revocation of credentials when officials judge a reporter has attempted unauthorized access or sought material deemed off-limits. Pentagon officials and the department’s chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, said more than 60 journalists and independent outlets have signed the policy and will form a newly constituted press corps. Parnell said 26 of those signatories previously held Pentagon credentials.

Reporters and press organizations argued the policy’s...