(WASHINGTON) – PEN America today offered its support to a lawsuit filed in federal court by The New York Times that argues the Pentagon’s newly imposed reporting rules violate journalists’ constitutional rights.
The policy requires reporters to sign a form setting out sweeping newsgathering restrictions and threatens the loss of press credentials for those who do not comply. Dozens of veteran Pentagon reporters relinquished their press badges and left their Pentagon offices rather than sign on to the terms, while the Pentagon subsequently granted workspace to outlets with a history of parroting administration talking points.
“No government agency, let alone the Department of Defense, should be permitted to manipulate reporting by deciding which journalists get to ask questions and which are removed from the building because they are not sufficiently fawning,” said Tim Richardson, journalism and disinformation program director at PEN America. “This legal challenge – and the continued, relentless reporting by journalists pushed out of the Pentagon – sends a clear message that an independent press will not be sidelined, with or without a Pentagon press badge. This lawsuit is a crucial step toward restoring transparency at the Pentagon and reaffirming the democratic principle that the public has a right to know what its military is doing. We stand with The New York Times and with all news organizations defending press freedom.”
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057