• by Ray Schultz , October 9, 2025

News organizations covering the Pentagon oppose the slightly revised rules for receiving access that were issued earlier this week.  

The Pentagon appeared to slightly soften one requirement.

The new language omits the requirement that reporters personally initial policies like the one that would bar journalists who gather or publish unclassified information that was not approved for release. Instead, it asks them to affirm that they understand them.

But the policy appears to be toughened in at least one area — it would prevent journalists from even soliciting unauthorized information.  

“The policy conveys an unprecedented message of intimidation to everyone within the DoD, warning against any unapproved interactions with the press and even suggesting it’s criminal to speak without express permission  — which plainly, it is not,” the Pentagon Press Association wrote in a statement on Wednesday.

The New York Times reacted to the changed language by saying, “The Times appreciates the Pentagon's engagement, but problems remain with the policy and we and other news organizations believe further changes are needed." 

Some news providers will not sign or affirm the policies and vow to continue covering the Department of Defense even if barred from access.