Newsmax has declined to sign the Pentagon’s revised media credentialing agreement, becoming the first major outlet to publicly reject the Defense Department’s new restrictions on press access, the outlet confirmed to Newsweek Monday afternoon.
The Pentagon Press Association said Wednesday that negotiations over the policy have stalled, warning that the rules could undermine press freedom and expose journalists to legal risk.
“Newsmax has no plans to sign the letter," a spokesperson told Newsweek. "We are working in conjunction with other media outlets to resolve the situation. We believe the requirements are unnecessary and onerous and hope that the Pentagon will review the matter further.”
Why It Matters
The Pentagon has been fielding concerns from media outlets in recent weeks over its plans to change its policies around reporting on goings on at the Department of Defense's HQ. The decision by Newsmax to speak out against the plans, as a right-leaning outlet, may come as more of a blow to the Trump administration than from legacy media often denounced by the current White House.
What To Know
Newsmax said it had "no plans" to sign up to plans set out by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's department to restrict access to the Pentagon.
The main issue around the policy comes down to how information is shared with reporters. The initial plan called for all department information, whether classified or not, be run past Pentagon officials before an outlet could be allowed to publish an article.
News organizations pushed back, and the policy was revised last week to say that members of the media were not required to submit their writings, but that U.S. military personnel could face "adverse consequences" if they make unauthorized disclosures to reporters. Reporters could then be viewed as security risks and have their access revoked.
Outlets were given one week from last Monday to sign up to the new policy, with Newsmax among other outlets declaring on October 13 that they would not be signing.
The Washington Post's Executive Editor Matt Murray said in a statement that the Pentagon's efforts undermined the First Amendment. A post on X from the Post's communications department on the decision prompted a repost from Hegseth with a waving emoji, seeming to signal saying goodbye to its reporters.
The Atlantic's leadership made a similar decision, adding in a statement that Americans had a right to know how their taxes were being spent, while OAN said that after thorough review, it would be signing.
Monday's developments follow a series of restrictive measures implemented by Hegseth and senior Pentagon leadership. In late January, four outlets had their desks cleared in favor of newer media organizations. In May, much of the Pentagon was declared off limits to reporters unless they have an official escort.
The DOD is not alone in making such moves, with the White House being challenged earlier this year over its effort to ban the Associated Press from briefings. The spokesperson for Newsmax pointed out that the outlet stood in support of the AP at the time.
President Donald Trump has also frequently denounced reporters from legacy organizations, while his Press Secretary has made efforts to include newer media organizations, largely those seen to lean right.
What People Are Saying
Matt Murray, executive editor at The Washington Post, in a statement shared to X Monday: "Journalists from The Washington Post will not be signing the Pentagon’s new press access policy. The proposed restrictions undercut First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on gathering and publishing information. We will continue to vigorously and fairly report on the policies and positions of the Pentagon and officials across the government."
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief at The Atlantic, in a statement to the New York Times Monday: "The Atlantic’s journalists will not sign the Pentagon’s press policy. We fundamentally oppose the restrictions that the Trump administration is imposing on journalists who are reporting on matters of defense and national security. The requirements violate our First Amendment rights, and the rights of Americans who seek to know how taxpayer-funded military resources and personnel are being deployed. We will continue to cover matters of defense, war, and national security independently and fairly."
What's Next
With concerns still being raised around the new policy, it remains to be seen whether reporters at the Pentagon will have their access credentials revoked.