The US Department of War (Pentagon) has banned journalists from entering the institution’s press office in its latest restrictive measure against the media.
Joel Valdez, acting Pentagon spokesman, said the office was being re-designated as a “sensitive classified information facility” due to its use by employees who handle classified and sensitive information.
According to the decision, reporters will no longer be allowed to enter this section, although access to the Public Affairs Office and the Pentagon Spokesperson’s Office will still be possible by appointment.
This move is seen as a continuation of Donald Trump’s administration’s policies to limit media access to government and military institutions; previously, the Pentagon had canceled permanent media offices in its building and imposed new restrictions on journalists’ activities.
Media freedom organizations, including the National Press Club and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, have called this decision a worrying attempt to reduce transparency and media oversight of the activities of the US military.
