Military Reporters & Editors (MRE) applauds the federal judge’s ruling that says the Pentagon’s new press policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution.
We look forward to seeing our members, who last year were forced to turn in their Pentagon badges, return to the building to continue reporting on the unfolding war in Iran and other military issues affecting U.S. troops, their families and the American public.
Judge Friedman put it best: “In sum, the undisputed evidence reflects the Policy’s true purpose and practical effect: to weed out disfavored journalists—those who were not, in the Department’s view, ‘on board and willing to serve,’ SUMF at 16 (¶ 91)—and replace them with news entities that are.”
For decades, the Pentagon Press Corps has included outlets across the ideological spectrum, ensuring that all Americans are informed about the military’s actions.
In this moment of undeclared war in Iran, it has never been more important to have as many eyes as possible on the administration and the Pentagon. This ruling ensures Secretary Hegseth cannot create the type of state-sanctioned media that exists in authoritarian countries like Iran, Russia, China and North Korea. In this republic, the lives of our troops and the sober formulation of policy depend on a public that is well-informed by a free press doing its job without fear or favor.
The public, U.S. troops and their families deserve accurate reporting on how the Defense Department chooses to send America’s sons and daughters in uniform into harm’s way.
Journalism is not a crime. Its daily practice is the very heartbeat of a healthy democracy.