"The lawsuit by the New York Times alleged that policy changes by the defense department last year gave it free rein to freeze out reporters and news outlets over coverage the department did not like, in violation of the constitution's protections for free speech and due process."
"The changes approved under Pete Hegseth in October state that journalists can be deemed security risks and have their press badges revoked if they solicit unauthorized military personnel to disclose classified, and in some cases unclassified, information."
"The policy states that publishing sensitive information is generally protected by the first amendment but says soliciting that information could be considered by officials when determining whether a reporter poses a security or safety risk."
"The Times said the policy unlawfully restricts essential newsgathering techniques and gives the Pentagon unfettered discretion to revoke passes, permitting it to impose the type of viewpoint-based press restrictions forbidden by the constitution."
A federal judge has blocked a Pentagon policy that threatened journalists with being labeled security risks for seeking unauthorized information. The New York Times filed a lawsuit claiming the policy violated constitutional protections for free speech and due process. The changes allowed the Pentagon to revoke press badges for soliciting information deemed unauthorized. Most news outlets refused to sign the new policy, leading to a press corps of pro-Trump media. The lawsuit argues the policy unlawfully restricts newsgathering and imposes unconstitutional viewpoint-based restrictions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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