Dozens of reporters turned in access badges and exited the Pentagon on Wednesday (October 16, 2025) rather than agree to government-imposed restrictions on their work, pushing journalists who cover the American military further from the seat of its power. The nation's leadership called the new rules "common sense" to help regulate a "very disruptive" press.
News outlets were nearly unanimous in rejecting new rules imposed by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that would leave journalists vulnerable to expulsion if they sought to report on information — classified or otherwise — that had not been approved by Mr. Hegseth for release.
Many of the reporters waited to leave together at a 4 p.m. deadline set by the Defence Department to get out of the building.
Continue Reading on The Hindu
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.