Pentagon Press Rules Impasse: Reporters Warn of Free Press Impact | JQJO

Negotiations between Pentagon reporters and the Defense Department over proposed reporting restrictions have stalled. The Pentagon Press Association stated that an impasse has been reached, despite the Pentagon claiming good-faith negotiations. The new rules, which require reporters to sign off on understanding information handling policies or risk losing credentials, are seen by journalists as potentially stifling free press and exposing them to prosecution for performing their duties. The Defense Department maintains the regulations are reasonable and access is a privilege, not a right.