The Pentagon's Effort to Gag Journalism Meets Resounding Failure

A veteran military journalist recalls many instances during their career reporting on the defense establishment when the real narrative diverged significantly from the official account.

After the capture of Baghdad in 2003, the at that time defense secretary was publicly overjoyed, claiming it signaled the triumph of the US invasion. Yet, via unofficial conversations with personnel, the journalist soon discovered a more complex reality: additional forces were needed to protect supply lines under attack by loyalists of the deposed government.

“Was I, as a journalist, seeking out information?” the reporter wrote. “Naturally. That is the essence of journalism. Finding out the actual events behind the scenes and refusing to accept wholesale what any government says.

This reporter is one of numerous defense correspondents confronting the loss of their official access after declining to agree to a new directive from the Pentagon leadership. The requirement would mandate reporters to sign an agreement asserting they will solely report information “officially approved” by the military establishment.

Transformation from Overseers to Government Agents

Signing such an document would essentially convert journalists “from watchdogs into state functionaries”, according to a previous chairman of a major journalism organization and ex- senior editor of a global news agency.

This journalist is in good company. News organizations such as major newspapers, wire services, and online platforms – even some with right-leaning viewership – are rejecting the demand.

Predictably, a outlet known as a state-friendly broadcaster has consented to sign.

Television Outlets Join the Protest

In a major move, the leading broadcasters – even those considered supportive of the current administration – issued a joint statement stating their rejection.

“The directive is unprecedented and endangers core journalistic protections,” they announced. “We will continue to cover the US military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the values of a free and independent press.”

This vast majority stance is correct – and it is encouraging to see such unity. This kind of journalistic cohesion is formidable – and society could benefit from more of it, especially when the press are often under siege.

Journalism vs. Stenography

No matter how much the Pentagon leadership might desire it, reporting is not stenography, and the government-sanctioned narrative is often only a beginning for more thorough investigation that reveals the facts.

The directive has been described as a “war on truth” that clearly imperils the intent of free press guarantees and undermines the public’s right to know what their government is undertaking.

The defense chief's reaction to this near-universal rejection was characterized by a childish use of emojis on online platforms, dismissing outlets that refused to submit.

Intensification of Press Restrictions

This newest action represents an escalation in restrictive measures. Not only does the Pentagon rarely hold press briefings now, but previously it also banned journalists from most of the facility without an official escort. This departure from past practice hindered the ability of correspondents to gather nuanced information through routine interactions.

Under the new policy, journalists could be designated a threat simply for inquiring defense personnel for sensitive information.

Persistence of Journalistic Mission

It is certain that journalists and their news outlets will persist to cover the operations of the military, informing the citizens about their leaders' decisions.

Credentials isn’t everything. In fact, the journalistic quest for proximity to influential figures and institutions – and the desire to protect that privilege – may impede truthful reporting.

As a previous reporter noted, the press can keep performing their duties through methods other than transmitting government-sanctioned information to the public.

“Reporting of the military can be pursued through leaks, public records requests, and other collaborative methods harnessing the protections of the law,” the journalist stated. And they can continue to do so, it was noted, “till this benighted regime sees out its days.”