**Excerpt:** A federal judge has ruled that the Pentagon must restore press access for journalists, following a lawsuit challenging new restrictive policies.
Key Points
– A federal judge ruled the Pentagon violated a court order on press access.
– The ruling affects a new policy that required journalists to be escorted by government officials.
– The judge emphasized the importance of First Amendment protections for journalism.
– The Pentagon plans to appeal the ruling, asserting compliance with previous court orders.
– The judge’s order requires a Pentagon official to confirm compliance by April 16.
Judge Rules Against Pentagon’s Press Restrictions
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman has declared that the Pentagon must restore press access for journalists, ruling that the Defense Department violated a prior court order aimed at easing restrictions on reporters. This decision comes after a lawsuit filed by The New York Times and reporter Julian Barnes, which challenged the Pentagon’s new press policy as unconstitutional.
Background of the Case
The lawsuit, initiated last year, argued that the Pentagon’s restrictive measures breached First and Fifth Amendment rights, along with due process provisions. Judge Friedman previously invalidated some of the Pentagon’s stringent controls that had led numerous news outlets, including CBS News, to withdraw from the Pentagon.
In his most recent ruling, Friedman found that the Pentagon did not adhere to his March order. He criticized the department for implementing a revised press policy that continued to impose significant restrictions on journalists, including a requirement for government escorts for access to the building.
Key Findings of the Ruling
Friedman noted that the Pentagon could not simply reinstate an unlawful policy while claiming to take new action. He described the situation as an attempt by the Secretary of Defense to control the information accessible to the public, which undermines constitutional protections.
His earlier ruling had already struck down provisions that labeled Pentagon access as a “privilege” instead of a “right” and imposed harsh penalties on reporters for soliciting sensitive information.
Pentagon’s Response
In response to the ruling, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell indicated the department disagrees with the court’s decision and intends to appeal. Parnell asserted that the Pentagon has complied with the court’s previous orders and remains committed to ensuring press access while maintaining security protocols.
Future Compliance
Judge Friedman has mandated that a Pentagon official must submit a sworn declaration by April 16, detailing the measures taken to comply with the court’s ruling. This case underscores the ongoing tension between government transparency and security measures in the context of press access.
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