New Press Rules in the Pentagon

[CriticalStinker]

In one of the articles I read, the journalist mentioned that they've wandered the halls for 40 years to try and overhear the conversations going on and that was the basis he used to probe further. Previously the press had great latitude on where they could wander in the hallways and people talk while walking...

Looking at our post WWII record when it comes to war, I’m not sure combatting public knowledge of our foreign policy is the right move.

Id be willing to bet the problem with all those wars was a political one, not a pentagon or journalistic issue.

[guyfriday]

From what I heard, so take it with a grain of sand, some of the media was going around in areas they weren't supposed to be as well as trying to pay people for more information on what was going on (sometimes with cash but usually with some kind of perks "wink-wink")

Something else I was told that had some Trump Administration officials pissed was the stories about some of these "journalists" spying for other countries. I'm not too familiar about that story but it wouldn't surprise me at this point with how bought out some of the major channels are by China.

[BomSquad]

From what I heard, so take it with a grain of sand, some of the media was going around in areas they weren't supposed to be as well as trying to pay people for more information on what was going on (sometimes with cash but usually with some kind of perks "wink-wink")

Something else I was told that had some Trump Administration officials pissed was the stories about some of these "journalists" spying for other countries. I'm not too familiar about that story but it wouldn't surprise me at this point with how bought out some of the major channels are by China.

That's nothing new...

"I hate newspapermen. They come into camp and pick up their camp rumors and print them as facts. I regard them as spies, which, in truth, they are. If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast" - General William Tecumseh Sherman

:D

[Maxmars]

OK now....

My anger has subsided...

There are many things adjacent to the OP which bear mentioning.

First of all...

The rules in place to control physical access were always in place... since like the 60's.

They were "brought into line" with loosened (DHS-consultant "appointee" standards) why? I don't  know... (insert virtue signaling about freedom of the press here maybe)

Had we practiced "security" as we do now, back when the "Soviet menace" were around...
we would all be singing of Marxist glory while lining up for bread.

We live in a reality TV world, where appearances suffice.
As far as the operators of it are concerned... the audience lives behind a wall..
with no windows... and we don't trust each other.... right?

They don't... we will all figure that out soon enough.

[IdeomotorPrisoner]

I dont think this is a "prior restraint" issue, it just breaks years of tradition.

The Hill says they protest too much. 

But legally it's this:

 https://thehill.com/opinion/national-sec...-pentagon/

The industry’s response to the new rules focuses on holding the government accountable, transparency, the public’s right to know, and the role of a free press in a democratic society. And that all sounds good, as far as it goes. Everybody wants scrutiny of the nation’s huge defense — or now “war” — apparatus. But before jumping too far up on a constitutional high horse, the media might consider that the First Amendment provides for no right to gather news. Rather, the standard interpretation of press freedom is that the government not engage in prior restraint against publication.

In other words, the press is free to publish or broadcast whatever it can find, but it should expect no help from the government in the gathering of news.

I do get it. They use to have press passes to enter without escort and attend briefings or talk to officials and such. Now they've had that privilege rescinded and it feels off.  Like The DoD is suddenly saying, "We are treating you all like children that cant be trusted. Because that's what you are  And you must sign this loyalty/standards pledge." 

And I can see how that change would irk people. Especially those that have been going to the pentagon for decades under multiple administrations of both parties.

It can feel like another brick in the wall that surrounds our militarizing, protectionist government. Its another change to build to the ominous second version of In The Flesh. before you Run Like Hell and start Waiting For The Worms

*But*  if I shut out the ominous feelings surrounding this shifting social tone and keep telling myself it hasn't affected me yet, I can almost see the humor in the pride and protest of the press.

And compare it to a 90s movie about 70s.

"I might be a reporter for your country and cover The The DoD,  but I'm never signing this pledge!"

[Maxmars]

I find it ironic, that the entertainment industry is calling upon the first amendment to justify there prennial presence in one of the military operation centers is ironic and devoid of weight.

There don't appear to be any reporters anymore... only "journalists"... free to craft opinion narratives and forge insider 'secret' "relationships."

Journalist proudly proclaim their right to speak their opinion along with the facts...
becoming themselves 'activists' and all we hear is activism.

A reporters offer facts.  It's a skill.

Journalist get "shown" what to report in 'press packets.'
Journalists are overseen by government agencies...

Journalists rarely "investigate" anything... although I applaud those who do.

[Zaphod58]

The Pentagon announced 60 new reporters from independent and new media outlets. From the announcement 26 reporters from 18 media outlets that refused to sign have signed the agreement.

https://x.com/seanparnellasw/status/1981...FeaE6XZSwQ

[WallFlowerActive]

I thought setting boundaries was healthy, like not inviting family that voted for Trump or didn’t have the Covid vaccine to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

[Zaphod58]

I thought setting boundaries was healthy, like not inviting family that voted for Trump or didn’t have the Covid vaccine to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

I always thought expecting journalists to act like the Pentagon was a military installation and follow military installation rules was the law, but from the screaming going on about the First Amendment apparently I was wrong.

[Maxmars]

What really irks me is that this is squarely "entertainment news." 
About them and their fee fees... and what they are gonna do about it.

With all of us consumers of "their" information being told
to feel threatened.  This is a Constitutional crisis.

Go to court... make your case there...