U.S. judge rules against Pentagon restrictions on press coverage
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- A federal judge in Washington, D.C., blocked a Pentagon policy that restricted journalists from reporting on the U.S. military without prior Pentagon approval, ruling in favor of The New York Times and affirming press freedom under the First Amendment.
- The Pentagon policy, introduced in September, required media to obtain official authorization before gathering or publishing even unclassified information, leading several news organizations, including NPR, to surrender their Pentagon press passes in protest.
- The New York Times sued the Pentagon, arguing the policy violated the First Amendment and limited public access to vital military information; Judge Paul L. Friedman agreed, emphasizing the importance of a free press for national security.
- The Times welcomed the ruling as a reinforcement of constitutional rights, while the Pentagon announced plans
