I am writing to express my deep concern over the Pentagon's recently announced policy requiring journalists to sign a pledge to only report information authorized for release. This alarming directive, outlined in a 17-page memo on September 21, 2025, represents a grave threat to press freedom and our First Amendment rights.
The policy's requirement that all information, even unclassified, must be pre-approved by an authorizing official before release is nothing short of government censorship. It undermines the fundamental role of a free press in our democracy and sets a dangerous precedent for controlling information flow to the public.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's justification for these restrictions, citing the need to limit press access within the Pentagon, is woefully inadequate when weighed against the constitutional implications. This policy is part of a broader pattern of media restrictions under the current administration that erodes transparency and democratic norms.
The reactions from esteemed organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists and The Washington Post underscore the severity of this overreach. Their objections highlight how this policy violates press freedom principles that are cornerstone to our nation's values.
While the Pentagon may have faced embarrassing leaks, such as The Atlantic's editor being accidentally included in a military planning group chat, the solution cannot be to muzzle the press. These incidents should prompt improved internal communications protocols, not sweeping restrictions on journalists' ability to report independently.
I urge you to take immediate action to oppose this policy. Please speak out publicly against these restrictions and work with your colleagues to introduce legislation that protects journalists' rights to report on government activities without prior restraint. Our democracy depends on an informed citizenry, which can only be achieved through a free and unfettered press.
The First Amendment is not negotiable. We must act now to prevent this dangerous precedent from taking root and spreading to other government agencies. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to defend our constitutional rights and maintain government accountability through a free press.
First sent on September 21 by Nobody is above the law
