Yesterday, Friday, US Defense Minister Beit Higseth issued new instructions that obligate accredited journalists to obtain official facilities when most of the Pentagon’s Ministry of Defense facilities in Arlington, Virginia.
The new procedures were entered into immediate implementation, as it prevents journalists from entering areas in the ministry without an official permit and accredited facilities, and it has sparked sharp criticism from the Pentagon Press Association, which saw in the decision “a direct attack on freedom of the press.”
Higseth said in a note that the ministry is still “committed to transparency”, but it is “obligated to the same amount to protect secret intelligence and sensitive information, which may lead to unauthorized disclosure to endanger the lives of American soldiers.”
The Minister of Defense added that the security and protection of sensitive information is a top priority.
Delicious security justifications
However, the Journalists Association said in its statement that the decision is based on “flimsy security justifications”, noting that for decades accredited journalists managed to reach areas that are not sensitive in the Pentagon without concern about security, even in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and under both Republican and democratic administrations.
There was no official comment from the Pentagon in response to the association’s statement yet.
This step comes within a series of measures pursued by the administration of President Donald Trump to restrict the media institutions that accuse them of leaking information, as 3 administrative officials were recently granted a temporary leave as part of an internal investigation in leaks.
Also asked for prominent press institutions such as “The New York Times”, “Washington Post” and “CNN” and “NBC News” to evacuate their offices in the Pentagon, as part of a recycling system that allows the entry of other media institutions, including pro -president parties such as the New York Post, Breittar, Daily Koler and American News.
According to Reuters, the administration recently published lies detection devices in a number of government institutions, including the Ministry of Internal Security, to investigate non -secret leaks, and some employees threatened to separate if they refused to take the test.
The White House confirms that President Trump “will not tolerate leaks”, and that those who prove his involvement in them “must be held accountable.”