Five major broadcast networks say they won't sign new Pentagon media policy

Five major broadcast news networks announced Tuesday that they will not sign the Pentagon’s new press policy before an afternoon deadline, joining several other media organizations that have objected to a set of rules that many journalists consider restrictive.“Today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagon’s new requirements, which would restrict journalists’ ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues,” NBC News said in a joint statement with ABC News, CBS News, CNN and Fox News Media.

Five major broadcast news networks announced Tuesday that they will not sign the Pentagon’s new press policy before an afternoon deadline, joining several other media organizations that have objected to a set of rules that many journalists consider restrictive.

“Today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagon’s new requirements, which would restrict journalists’ ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues,” NBC News said in a joint statement with ABC News, CBS News, CNN and Fox News Media.

“The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections. We will continue to cover the U.S. military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the principles of a free and independent press,” the news organizations added.

Trump addresses Gaza ceasefire, Pentagon's media policy and government shutdown05:54The new policy says reporters could have their press passes revoked if they publish information that has not been authorized for release by the Pentagon, even if the information is unclassified.

The deadline to sign the new policy is 5 p.m. ET Tuesday, according to the Defense Department. Any media professional who declines to sign has 24 hours to turn in their Pentagon press credential and “clear their spaces” inside the sprawling government complex.