By John Q. Hosedrinker 
This week, several major news outlets have been denied access to Pentagon briefings, which are instead being held for media organizations approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move comes as investigations are underway regarding U.S. military strikes. These new briefings are part of a special orientation event for a new Pentagon press corps primarily comprised of conservative outlets that agreed to new operational rules. Many mainstream outlets left the Pentagon in the fall after refusing to agree to the new rules.
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Outlets that reach millions of news consumers are being denied access to rare briefings by Pentagon officials this week – a move that seems to have raised quite a few eyebrows, to put it mildly. We’re talking about major players here – The Post, The Associated Press, CNN, Reuters – all of them shut out from question-and-answer sessions. Even Newsmax, which many would consider firmly aligned with the current administration, found themselves on the outside looking in. This is definitely not the usual way things work in a democracy, is it?
The whole situation seems even more bizarre when you consider what’s *not* happening. Instead of these established news organizations, the Pentagon is apparently opening its doors to a hand-picked crew, mainly conservative outlets that have agreed to new operating rules. It’s hard not to wonder what those rules entail, especially when you learn that figures like Laura Loomer and Matt Gaetz are among those granted access. It’s a bit like a twisted joke, the kind that leaves you wondering if you’re actually dreaming. The fact that the Secretary of Defense has chosen to bypass well-established and experienced journalists is concerning, especially as there are very important and pressing issues requiring attention.
The timing is particularly interesting, given the ongoing investigations by both the Senate and House Armed Services committees into U.S. military strikes. Specifically, these investigations are focused on alleged incidents involving drug couriers in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. With such critical matters under scrutiny, transparency from the Pentagon should be a top priority. Instead, we see this exclusionary practice. What could they possibly be trying to hide?
This whole situation seems like a dramatic shift away from the principles of open communication and transparency that are fundamental to a free press. It’s no surprise that many mainstream outlets, recognizing the potential for censorship, chose to exit the Pentagon rather than agree to these new terms. It appears those “common sense” regulations are designed to stifle the free flow of information and ensure only approved narratives are disseminated.
And what about the impact of these new rules? Well, as a recent report in The Washington Post demonstrated, journalists are still doing their job, finding ways to report on potentially sensitive matters like a second strike ordered by the Pentagon in September. However, the access restrictions clearly hinder the public’s ability to get a complete and unbiased view. One has to question what is being hidden.
The concern for open access is not just about the principle of a free press. It’s about ensuring accountability. When a government agency like the Pentagon operates in the shadows, it becomes easier to engage in potentially problematic actions without public scrutiny. Limiting access to briefings and controlling the narrative creates an environment ripe for abuse.
The fact that so many reputable news organizations are being excluded is a red flag. The denial of access to these news agencies is not only an assault on a free press, but it does a disservice to the American public. The public funds the department and deserves to know what is happening. The press needs to be more adversarial, not act as a mere mouthpiece for the Pentagon.
It’s important to remember that the new rules, whatever they are, are not in the public interest. The fact that the Pentagon is holding briefings for hand-picked media outlets is a clear indication that they are seeking to control the narrative. This is not about providing information to the public; it’s about controlling how that information is perceived.
And it does raise a critical question: what is the Pentagon trying to hide? When officials limit access to information, it creates an environment ripe for the spread of misinformation and unchecked power. If transparency is being intentionally obstructed, then it’s hard not to assume some wrongdoing. In a situation like this, investigative journalism is more important than ever.
The absence of a truly independent press corps in these briefings is deeply concerning. The American public deserves to hear the truth, not a watered-down, carefully curated version of events. There needs to be a unified front among journalists, a refusal to participate in this charade. The only way to counter this censorship is to shine a light on the truth. The public deserves to know what’s really happening, even if the Pentagon doesn’t want them to.