Judge questions Pentagon policy blocking 300 reporter credentials
Fox News • • nation
Key Points:
- U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman expressed skepticism toward the Justice Department's defense of Pentagon restrictions requiring reporters to avoid reporting unapproved information to retain credentials.
- The New York Times and Pentagon Press Association seek reinstatement of credentials for about 300 journalists who refused to sign the new agreement limiting their reporting.
- Friedman emphasized the importance of journalists' right to ask questions and access information, citing historical events like the Pentagon Papers and 9/11 as examples of why transparency is vital to democracy.
- Legal counsel for the press groups argued the Pentagon's policy resembles authoritarian control and harms public access to information, especially during wartime.
- Friedman questioned inconsistencies in Pentagon responses to different tip lines and indicated he would issue a ruling soon
