Restrictions on U.S. Military Newspaper Signal First Amendment Danger for All Media

Pete Hegseth has banned photographers from Pentagon briefings after “unflattering” photos were published earlier this month

This week the Pentagon disinvited the military’s Star & Stripes publication from attending Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s press conference. That may seem like a minor matter as President Donald Trump and Hegseth have issued broad warnings to the U.S. media about what they characterize as “unpatriotic” coverage of the war in Iran. But it signals a turning point for the newspaper, which has been continuously reporting on military matters since World War II.

The move comes after the Pentagon issued a memo to Stars and Stripes in January outlining new restrictions on content in the newspaper, including a requirement to abide by “good order and discipline.” The newspaper is also expected to “modernize its operations” and “refocus its content away from woke distractions that siphon morale.”

“The Pentagon blackballed its own newspaper from covering its own press conference?” wrote Kevin Baron, a Stars & Stripes reporter. “Reminder, Stars & Stripes employees are US Army civilians. Their editorial independence is protected by Congress specifically to prevent political leaders from feeding troops propaganda.”

The censorship of Stars & Stripes follows the Pentagon’s October 2025 issuance of a new policy for all media. Credentialed outlets must agree to a policy that states reporters cannot gather or publish information from the Pentagon that is not specifically authorized, including declassified information and off-the-record conversations.

Most media outlets refused to sign the agreement, leading to ABC News, CBS News, CNN, NBC News, Fox News, the Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and countless other outlets losing their Pentagon press credentials.

As media outlets continue to cover the escalating war in the Middle East, Hegseth has bemoaned much of the coverage as “fake news,” taking particular aim at CNN last week. “Fake news from CNN reports that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran war’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz,” he said during a press conference. “Patently ridiculous, of course. For decades, Iran has threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This is always what they do, hold the strait hostage. CNN doesn’t think we thought of that. It’s a fundamentally unserious report. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.”

Hegseth is referring to the billionaire chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance’s buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, in a $111 billion deal. The deal has been the subject of lawsuits and controversy alleging Ellison’s father Larry Ellison, Oracle founder and one of the richest people in the world, and Trump had finessed the deal away from Netflix.

Even Fox News thinks the media is under fire, referencing Hegseth’s characterization of journalists as “unpatriotic” and “anti-Trump” as they ask questions about the war in Iran. Trump, meanwhile, praised FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s warning about media outlets “correcting course” on their war coverage.

“Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions – also known as the fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up,” wrote Carr in a post on X. “The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.”

Meanwhile the families of U.S. military members killed in Iran have spoken out against claims from Hegseth that bereaved families urged him to “finish” the job in the Middle East. Hegseth told reporters yesterday that he had spoken with the families of all six service members killed in a refueling tanker crash last week.

“What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve, was the same from family after family,” said Hegseth. “They said, ‘Finish this. Honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done.”

Charles Simmons, father of Ohio Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, who was killed in the crash, denied discussing that with Hegseth. “I can’t speak for the other families,” Simmons told NBC News. “When he spoke to me, that was not something we talked about. I didn’t say anything along those lines.”

Stephan Douglas, cousin of Tyler Simmons, one of the three Ohioans killed in the crash, said the conflict was unnecessary in a weekend interview with Columbus news station WCMH. “This could have been prevented,” said Douglas. “We didn’t need to be in this war. This is uncalled for, and this is what we get.”

“Families are suffering right now,” said Bernice Smith, Simmons’ grandmother. “Just to create a war because you want to create a war is not right.”

21,250 Comments

  1. Closed the tab with a small sense of finality rather than the usual rushed exit, and a stop at quantumharbor produced the same considered closing, when reading ends with deliberate satisfaction rather than impatient skip you know the time was well spent and this site is producing those satisfying endings consistently across what I read.

  2. Thanks for the practical examples scattered through the post rather than abstract theory only, and a look at digitalhaven continued that grounded style, abstract points are easier to remember when paired with concrete situations and the writers here clearly understand how readers actually retain information from blog content reading sessions.

  3. Now noticing that the post never raised its voice even when making a strong point, and a look at buildclearoutcomes continued that calm volume, content that can make important points without resorting to typographic emphasis or emotional appeal is content that trusts its substance to do the work and this site has that confidence consistently.

  4. Reading this brought back an idea I had set aside months ago, and a stop at progresswithsignal added more substance to that idea, content that revives dormant projects in my own thinking is content with serious creative value and this site is contributing to my own work in ways I had not expected when first clicking through.

  5. Now feeling the small relief of finding writing that does not condescend, and a stop at directionturnsideas extended that respect for readers, content that treats its audience as capable adults rather than as people to be managed produces a different reading experience and this site has clearly chosen the respectful approach across all pieces.

  6. Definitely returning here, that is decided, and a look at growththroughdesign only made the case stronger, this is one of those rare websites that rewards regular visits rather than feeling stale after the first read which is something I cannot say about most of the places I bookmark today across all my topics.

  7. Without comparing too aggressively to other sources this one stands out for the right reasons, and a look at ideasneedalignment continued that distinctive quality, content that distinguishes itself through substance rather than style tricks is content with lasting differentiation and this site has clearly chosen substance based differentiation as its core editorial strategy.

  8. Really liked the calm tone running through the post, no shouting and no urgency forced into the writing, and a look at intentionalforwardenergy kept that quiet confidence going, the kind of voice that makes the reader feel respected rather than yelled at which is depressingly common across most modern blog content these days.

  9. Now feeling confident that this site will continue producing work I will want to read, and a look at comicnexus extended that confidence into the future, projecting forward from current quality to expected future quality is something I do for sites I genuinely follow and this one has earned that forward looking trust clearly today.

  10. Thanks for laying this out in a way that someone newer to the topic can follow, and a stop at latinovista kept that accessibility going, writing that meets readers at different experience levels without condescending is hard to do well and the writers here have clearly thought about who they are writing for.

  11. Народ выручайте. Жесть случилась полная. Муж просто пропадает. Соседи стучат в дверь. Скорая не едет. Короче, только это и спасло — анонимный вывод из запоя без последствий. Отошёл за полчаса. В общем, жмите чтобы не потерять — вывод из запоя на дому вывод из запоя на дому Не надейтесь на авось. Перешлите тому кому надо.

  12. Liked that the post left some questions open rather than pretending to settle everything, and a stop at eskimobadge continued that intellectual honesty, content that respects the limits of its own claims is more trustworthy than content that overreaches and this site has clearly figured out which positions it can defend confidently.

  13. Thanks for the clean writing, no broken sentences and no awkward translations like some other sites have, and a quick stop at profitnexus kept that polish going nicely, it really does make a difference when a reader can move through a page without tripping on every line or going back to reread.

  14. Came in expecting another generic take and got something with actual character instead, and a look at greenharvest carried that personality forward, finding a distinct voice on a saturated topic is impressive and worth pointing out when it happens because most sites end up sounding identical to their nearest competitors quickly.

  15. Всем привет из Екб. Брат снова в штопоре. Дети ходят как в воду опущенные. Платные клиники — грабёж. Короче говоря, единственные кто помог без нервотрёпки — вывод из запоя на дому срочно. Сняли алкогольную интоксикацию. В общем, жмите, чтобы не потерять — капельница на дому от запоя капельница на дому от запоя Не тяните время. Вдруг пригодится.

  16. Слушайте что расскажу. Жесть случилась полная. Человек уже третьи сутки в штопоре. Жена в слезах. В диспансер везти — учёт на всю жизнь. Короче, только это и спасло — вывести из запоя на дому качественно. Приехали через час. В общем, смотрите сами по ссылке — вывод из запоя самара на дому вывод из запоя самара на дому Не надейтесь на авось. Перешлите тому кому надо.

  17. Now adjusting my expectations upward for the topic based on this post, and a stop at bloomhavenhub continued that bar raising effect, content that resets what I think is possible on a subject is doing real work in shaping my standards and this site is providing those bar raising experiences at a notable rate during sessions.

  18. Honestly thank you to whoever wrote this because it scratched an itch I had not quite been able to articulate, and a stop at digitalclicks kept that satisfying feeling going, the kind of writing that meets unspoken needs is special and this site clearly has writers who understand their readers more than most do today.

  19. Народ выручайте. Жесть случилась полная. Человек уже третьи сутки в штопоре. Соседи стучат в дверь. В диспансер везти — учёт на всю жизнь. Короче, нормальные врачи нашлись — анонимный вывод из запоя без последствий. Отошёл за полчаса. В общем, сохраняйте на будущее — вывод из запоя с выездом вывод из запоя с выездом Не надейтесь на авось. Перешлите тому кому надо.

  20. Now feeling the quiet pleasure of finding writing that takes itself seriously without being self serious, and a stop at momentumdesign extended that subtle pleasure, the gap between earnest and pretentious is fine and this site has clearly chosen to land on the earnest side without slipping over into pretentious which is impressive.

  21. Приветствую всех. Мой знакомый в запое четвёртые сутки. Жена места себе не находит. Платные клиники — грабёж. Короче, спасла только эта служба — выведение из запоя анонимно и безопасно. Укололи детокс. В общем, цены и телефон тут — вывод из запоя с выездом вывод из запоя с выездом Не тяните время. Вдруг пригодится.

  22. Друзья ситуация жуткая. Жесть случилась полная. Муж просто пропадает. Жена в слезах. В диспансер везти — учёт на всю жизнь. Короче, единственное что реально помогло — вывести из запоя на дому качественно. Поставили систему. В общем, сохраняйте на будущее — запой вызов нарколога https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-na-domu-samara-vwx.ru Не тяните. Перешлите тому кому надо.

  23. A quiet piece that did not try to compete on volume, and a look at growthnavigationpath maintained that selective approach, sites that publish less but better are increasingly rare in an environment that rewards volume and this one has clearly chosen quality cadence over quantity which is a brave editorial decision in current conditions.

  24. Народ выручайте. Столкнулся с такой бедой. Муж просто пропадает. Дети не спят ночами. Платные клиники просят бешеные деньги. Короче, нормальные врачи нашлись — профессиональное выведение из запоя капельницей. Поставили систему. В общем, смотрите сами по ссылке — вывод из запоя круглосуточно вывод из запоя круглосуточно Не надейтесь на авось. Перешлите тому кому надо.

  25. Came across this through a roundabout path and now it is on my regular rotation, and a stop at growthfollowsfocus sealed that decision, the open web still produces serendipitous discoveries when you let the citations and references guide you rather than relying purely on algorithmic feeds for new content recommendations always.

  26. A clean read with no irritations, and a look at nexoravision continued that frictionless quality, the absence of small irritations is something I notice only when present elsewhere and this site is one of the rare places where everything just works and lets me focus on the substance rather than fighting the format.

  27. Слушайте что расскажу. Попал я в переплёт конкретный. Человек уже третьи сутки в штопоре. Дети не спят ночами. Скорая не едет. Короче, нормальные врачи нашлись — анонимный вывод из запоя без последствий. Поставили систему. В общем, смотрите сами по ссылке — вывод из запоя наркология вывод из запоя наркология Не тяните. Перешлите тому кому надо.

  28. Друзья ситуация жуткая. Попал я в переплёт конкретный. Муж просто пропадает. Жена в слезах. Скорая не едет. Короче, нормальные врачи нашлись — вывести из запоя на дому качественно. Поставили систему. В общем, жмите чтобы не потерять — лечение запоев на дому лечение запоев на дому Не тяните. Перешлите тому кому надо.

  29. Друзья ситуация жуткая. Столкнулся с такой бедой. Муж просто пропадает. Соседи стучат в дверь. Скорая не едет. Короче, единственное что реально помогло — срочный вывод из запоя круглосуточно. Поставили систему. В общем, сохраняйте на будущее — запой вызов на дом запой вызов на дом Не тяните. Скиньте другу в беде.

  30. Самарцы всем привет. Жесть случилась полная. Человек уже третьи сутки в штопоре. Дети не спят ночами. В диспансер везти — учёт на всю жизнь. Короче, только это и спасло — анонимный вывод из запоя без последствий. Отошёл за полчаса. В общем, сохраняйте на будущее — вывод из запоя на дому самара круглосуточно вывод из запоя на дому самара круглосуточно Не надейтесь на авось. Скиньте другу в беде.

  31. Started reading and ended an hour later without realising the time had passed, and a look at brightvertex produced the same time dilation effect, when content makes time feel different the writer has achieved something well beyond the average and this site is producing that experience for me reliably across multiple readings.

  32. If I had to defend the time I spend reading independent blogs this site would feature in the defence, and a look at intentionalvelocity reinforced that defensive utility, the ongoing case for non algorithmic reading is one I make to myself periodically and sites like this one provide the actual evidence that supports the case clearly.

  33. Picked a single sentence from this post to remember, and a look at progressengine gave me another to keep, content that produces memorable lines is doing more than just transferring information and the small selection of sentences I keep from each reading session is one of the actual returns I get from reading carefully.

  34. If you asked me to point to a recent positive sign for the open web this site would be near the top, and a stop at buildclearprogress reinforced that designation, the few sites that serve as evidence the web can still produce quality independent content are precious and this one has clearly become one for me.

  35. Thanks for keeping the writing direct without losing the warmth that makes content feel human, and a stop at velvettress carried both qualities forward, balancing professionalism and personality is a rare skill and the writers here have clearly figured out how to consistently land it across many posts which I notice.

  36. Most of the time I feel the open web is in decline and then I find a site like this, and a stop at growthpilothub reinforced that mood lift, the cumulative effect of finding occasional excellent independent content versus the cumulative effect of finding mostly mediocre content is real for the long term reader maintaining web habits today.

  37. Polished and informative without feeling overproduced, that is the sweet spot, and a look at clarityturnsideas hit it again, you can tell when a site has been built with care versus thrown together for the sake of having something to put online and this is clearly the former approach taken by the team.

  38. Decided to read this site for a while before forming a verdict, and the verdict after several pages is positive, and a stop at growthwithoutfriction continued that pattern, judging a site requires more than one post and giving sites a fair sample is something I try to do for promising candidates rather than rushing to dismiss.

  39. A piece that reads like it was written for me without claiming to be written for me, and a look at ideasneedmotion produced the same fit, when the writer audience match clicks naturally without being engineered through demographic targeting you know the writing is solid and this site has that natural fit consistently for me.

  40. Good quality through and through, no rough edges and no signs of being rushed, and a quick look at urbanmarket kept the same polish going, the kind of site that respects its own brand by maintaining consistency across pages which is something I always appreciate as a reader looking for trustworthy information online today.

  41. A piece that did exactly what it promised in the headline without overshooting or underdelivering, and a look at vibrantstage continued that calibration, alignment between promise and delivery is a basic editorial virtue that many sites fail at and this site has clearly mastered the matching of expectation and substance throughout pieces.

  42. Всем здравствуйте. Муж вообще потерял связь с реальностью. Дети всего боятся. Скорая не приедет — не тот случай. Короче, помогли только эти ребята — вывод из запоя цены гуманные. Человек ожил через пару часов. В общем, жмите чтобы не забыть — вывод из запоя на дому круглосуточно https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-na-domu-ekaterinburg-pcl.ru Звоните прямо сейчас. Кому-то это может спасти жизнь.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *