News Corp's broadsheet, The Australian, initially agreed to the Pentagon's restrictive new press policy, which requires journalists to pledge not to obtain unauthorised material and limits access to certain areas. However, after facing scrutiny, the publication reversed its decision.
The policy, imposed by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was rejected by major outlets including The New York Times, CNN, Fox News, and the Guardian. The Australian was among a handful of outlets, including Turkish state media and the Epoch Times, that initially signed on.
A spokesperson for The Australian told the Weekly Beast: 'The Australian has reviewed the Pentagon’s new press rules and requirements. They raise serious concerns and place undue limits on press freedoms. Because of The Australian’s long-held position on independent journalism and press freedom, we have advised the Pentagon that we have revoked our assent.'
The Pentagon Press Association criticised the policy, stating it appeared 'designed to stifle a free press and potentially expose us to prosecution for simply doing our jobs.'
