Pentagon Imposes Unprecedented Press Restrictions Prompting Legal and Media Opposition

The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has introduced stringent new rules requiring journalists to sign agreements pledging not to release any information without prior government approval, even if unclassified, or face losing access to the Pentagon and other military facilities. This policy marks a significant shift in press freedom at the Defense Department, limiting reporters' physical movement within the Pentagon and granting the government unprecedented veto power over military coverage. Media outlets and press freedom advocates have widely condemned the rules as a violation of First Amendment rights, with legal challenges anticipated. The Pentagon defends the changes as necessary for national security and to restore the "warrior ethos" by eliminating what Hegseth describes as leftist and "woke" influences. Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, a law aimed at protecting journalists remains stalled in the legislative process amid bureaucratic delays, with ongoing debates over definitions and regulatory oversight. Discussions on forming an Independent Media Commission and adopting a self-regulation code in partnership with UNESCO are also underway, reflecting broader concerns about media freedom and journalist protections globally.