Federal Judge Rules Pentagon's Press Policy Unconstitutional, Impacting Journalistic Access
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman has ruled that the Department of Defense's revised press policy is unconstitutional, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over press access to the Pentagon. The policy, initially introduced in 2025, restricted journalists from soliciting unauthorized information, threatening their access to the Pentagon. Despite a previous court order blocking the policy, the Pentagon issued a revised version that closed the 'Correspondents’ Corridor' and required journalists to have escorts. Judge Friedman found that these changes still violated the First Amendment, as they were attempts to circumvent the court's injunction. The New York Times, which sued the Pentagon over the policy, welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of press freedom. The Pentagon plans to appeal the decision, maintaining that it has complied with the court's orders. 
