US judge rules restrictive Pentagon press access unconstitutional
A US federal judge ruled that a restrictive Pentagon press access policy is unconstitutional, siding with The New York Times in a lawsuit.
The story so far
- Mar 20
How outlets cover it
4 outletsNot rated on the left–right scale. It describes Western party politics and doesn’t fit state media or outlets outside that system, so we show ownership and country instead.
Open questions and key claims
Friedman said the policy “fails to provide fair notice of what routine, lawful journalistic practices will result in the denial...of Pentagon press credentials.”
New York Times spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander said the newspaper believes the ruling is a boon for press freedom
Of the 56 news outlets in the Pentagon Press Association, only one agreed to sign an acknowledgment of the new policy.
Elements of the policy violate the First and Fifth Amendments.
The court ruling is “a powerful rejection of the Pentagon’s effort to impede freedom of the press”.
The lawsuit by the New York Times alleged policy changes by the defense department violated the constitution.
The Trump administration said the policy is reasonable and necessary to protect the military.
A US federal judge ruled a Pentagon press access policy unconstitutional.
Who and where
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