Reuters rejects Pentagon’s New Press Policy, citing threat to media freedom
By International News Staff
Washington, D.C. / London
Reuters has announced that it will not sign the Pentagon’s newly introduced press credential policy, saying the rules undermine press freedom and threaten the independence of journalists covering U.S. defense matters.
In a statement, the global news agency reaffirmed its commitment to impartial and independent reporting, saying the revised Pentagon rules “erode fundamental values” that protect the free flow of information.
“Reuters is bound by its commitment to accurate, impartial and independent news under the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. We also steadfastly believe in the press protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution, the unrestricted flow of information and journalism that serves the public interest without fear or favor. The Pentagon’s new restrictions erode these fundamental values. Therefore, our journalists will not sign the revised press pass policy,” the company said.
The new Pentagon policy requires journalists to formally acknowledge a set of conditions that critics say could allow the Department of Defense to revoke or deny press credentials more easily. Media organizations argue that the policy grants excessive power to military officials and could discourage reporters from pursuing stories in the public interest.
Several major U.S. news outlets have joined Reuters in refusing to sign the policy, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and the Associated Press. Many have already vacated their offices inside the Pentagon as the new restrictions take effect.
The Pentagon has defended the policy, saying it is designed to protect national security and ensure that media credentials are issued responsibly. Press freedom advocates, however, warn that the new requirements could weaken transparency and limit public access to information about military operations and spending.
The standoff has prompted renewed debate over the balance between government secrecy and the right of the press to report without interference — a cornerstone of democratic accountability.
Despite losing direct access to Pentagon facilities, Reuters has said its journalists will continue to cover defense and national security issues through alternative means, including public records, briefings, and independent reporting.