Tightening the noose on journalists covering the Pentagon during US President Donald Trump’s second term, a document from the US Department of War outlined the latest measures, The Washington Post reported.
The Trump administration unveiled a new crackdown on Friday, stating that journalists will be required to pledge they will not gather any information-even if unclassified-that has not been expressly authorised for release. The administration also said it will revoke the press credentials of those who do not comply.
The Pentagon said it would forbid reporters from gathering any information that had not been authorized for release, and would revoke press passes from any journalists who did not obey, as per New York Post.
Earlier on February 1, the Pentagon had decided to swap traditional media with pro-Trump outlets under a new rotational program for the Department of War’s workspace, CNN reported.
The rotation makes room for a number of right-wing and explicitly pro-Trump media outlets that have not had workspace at the Pentagon before.
The Friday night announcement was criticised by some journalists as a way to score political points and penalise tough-minded news outlets.
The changes only affect workspaces, not credentials, so journalists from the affected outlets will not lose access to military officials and press briefings, as per CNN.
