Here’s a bold statement: The Pentagon is silencing the press, and it’s a direct threat to democracy. But here’s where it gets controversial—the U.S. Defense Department has introduced a new policy that could strip journalists of their press credentials for simply doing their jobs: seeking out information, even if it’s unclassified, that hasn’t been officially approved for release. This isn’t just a bureaucratic hurdle; it’s a gag order. And NPR, along with other reputable news organizations, is refusing to sign it. Why? Because signing would turn us into mere stenographers, regurgitating press releases instead of holding government officials accountable. And this is the part most people miss—without a free press, the public is left in the dark about decisions made in their name, funded by their tax dollars, and often putting their loved ones in harm’s way.
Let me take a step back. For 28 years, I’ve held a Pentagon press pass. During that time, I’ve walked those halls, spoken to officers from around the world, and embedded with troops in combat zones. My job—our job as journalists—is to uncover the truth, not to accept government narratives at face value. For instance, after the fall of Baghdad in 2003, then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld declared it a success. But an officer I met in the Pentagon told me a different story: Saddam Hussein’s supporters were attacking supply lines, and the U.S. had to send more troops to protect them. This wasn’t just a scoop; it was a revelation that the U.S. had initially deployed inadequate forces—a fact I reported before the war even began. This kind of reporting doesn’t just inform; it challenges the official narrative and helps the public understand the complexities of war.
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Should journalists prioritize access over accountability? The new Pentagon policy forces us to choose. And it’s not just NPR that’s pushing back. Mainstream outlets like the Washington Post, CNN, and the New York Times, as well as conservative voices like the Washington Times and Newsmax, are all refusing to sign. Yet, if we don’t comply by the deadline, around 100 Pentagon press corps members will lose their access.
Over the years, I’ve built relationships with soldiers and Marines, both in the Pentagon and on the front lines. Their perspectives often starkly contrast with the official statements. For example, during the Obama administration’s ‘surge’ of State Department employees to Afghanistan, a Marine officer told me, ‘If there was a surge, we never saw it.’ These firsthand accounts are crucial for a complete picture, yet the Pentagon’s new policy would silence them.
The stakes are personal, too. In 2016, while embedded with Afghan forces, our NPR team was ambushed. We lost two colleagues, photographer David Gilkey and translator Zabihullah Tammana. Their deaths were a stark reminder of the risks journalists take to bring the truth to light. A U.S. general honored them with a gesture usually reserved for fallen troops—a tribute to their dedication. Now, their legacy is at risk as the Pentagon tightens its grip on information.
Here’s another controversial point: The Trump administration has drastically reduced transparency. In 10 months, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has held just two briefings, and background briefings—once a staple during military actions—have all but disappeared. This isn’t just a shift in policy; it’s a shift in priorities, away from public accountability and toward controlled messaging. Thomas Jefferson once warned that liberty depends on a free press, and limiting it risks losing it entirely. So, I ask you: Is this the kind of democracy we want? One where the Pentagon dictates what we know and what remains hidden? Let’s discuss—because the truth is too important to stay silent.
