Press groups denounce Pentagon's new media rules

Source: Axios

9 hours ago


The Department of Defense announced a new media policy on Monday, three days after a federal judge ruled Trump administration restrictions on Pentagon journalists were a First Amendment violation.

The big picture: The Pentagon said in a memorandum announcing the changes that it's complying with the ruling in the New York Times lawsuit case, but press groups accused the administration of placing fresh restrictions on journalists with the new policy.

Zoom in: Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced three new changes to the press policy in a statement saying the Defense Department "disagrees with the decision and is pursuing an appeal."

The Pentagon Press Association said in a Monday evening statement the new Pentagon rules are "a clear violation of the letter and spirit" of the court ruling and it's "consulting with our legal counsel and will advise members once this process is complete."