New York Times Sues Pentagon Over New Press Restrictions

The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon over newly imposed restrictions on media access. The prominent U.S. newspaper argues that the Defense Department’s tightened rules severely undermine press freedom.

The case was filed on Thursday, 4 December, in a federal court in Washington, D.C. The defendants named in the suit include the Department of Defense, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Sean Parnell.

Under the restrictions, which came into effect in October, journalists are required to sign a pledge stating they will not collect any unauthorized information.

The New York Times claims the policy significantly curtails journalists’ ability to carry out their work. The lawsuit states that the 21-page agreement Pentagon reporters were compelled to sign is unlawful and unconstitutional. In protest, multiple journalists — including six from the New York Times — returned their Pentagon access badges.

Additionally, the new policy bars journalists from entering certain areas without official escorts, marking a major shift from previous guidelines.

Several major U.S. media organizations — including The Guardian, The Washington Post, CNN, Reuters, the Associated Press, and NPR — have refused to sign the new agreement.

In its lawsuit, the New York Times has asked the court to order the Pentagon to halt implementation of the policy.

The newspaper said it has consistently challenged attempts by any administration to restrict the press and will continue to fight such efforts through legal means.