Pentagon bans journalists from entering press office

Noman Sabit: The Pentagon has barred reporters from entering the building’s press office and designated the facility as a classified space, curtailing access to an area within the department that journalists have had for years.

The Defense Department’s (DOD) public affairs office, where reporters were able to approach military public affairs officials without escorts and ask questions, was marked as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF).

Joel Valdez, the acting Pentagon press secretary, said the change was made to ensure secrecy for speechwriters from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office utilizing the space.

“These speechwriters routinely handle classified material and require SIPRNet access. As a result, journalists will no longer be permitted to enter the office space. Access to the office of the Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs and to the Press Secretary remains available by appointment only,” Valdez said in a statement to The Hill on Monday.

The Secret Internet Protocol Router Network is a system of computer networks used by the Pentagon and the State Department to share classified information.

Journalists are now mostly barred from the department, as Hegseth has revoked access to most facilities. Courts have largely sided with reporters in legal challenges to the moves, but the Pentagon has only ramped up restrictions.

The change in designation could mean that even if reporters are able to regain access to the department, their access to DOD’s media affairs officials could be scaled back.

The news of the ban was first reported by The Washington Post.

Reporters have typically had access to public spaces within the Pentagon, where they would attend briefings by the department’s officials and speak to sources.

In October, hundreds of reporters turned in their Pentagon press passes instead of signing a new press policy, which would have reporters pledge that they would not solicit any unauthorized material, even if the information is unclassified, or risk losing their credentials.

Hegseth and his press officials have argued the policy would help prevent leaks of classified information to news media, protecting U.S. national security. Critics and press freedom groups argue that the policy is a violation of the reporters’ First Amendment rights.

The New York Times sued the Pentagon over the policy implementation and a federal judge struck it down in March. The DOD has appealed the ruling.

Last month, The Times sued the department to block the requirement that journalists be escorted on the department grounds, arguing it is unconstitutional.

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