Americast Can Trump silence the press?
30 snips
Oct 17, 2025 James Rosen, Chief Washington correspondent for Newsmax and a seasoned journalist, discusses the Pentagon's controversial new press policy. He explains why Newsmax refused to sign the agreement that would restrict reporting to only authorized information. The conversation delves into the implications for press freedom and the chilling effects on investigative journalism, especially under the Trump administration’s broader media strategy. Rosen also recalls his experiences during the Obama-era investigation into his reporting, highlighting ongoing tensions between the press and government.
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Mass Walkout Over Pentagon Rules
- The Pentagon required accredited journalists to sign a rule promising to publish only department-authorised information or lose press passes.
- Nearly all major outlets refused and handed in their Pentagon credentials in protest.
Policy Equates Reporting With Solicitation
- The policy blurred lawful information requests with "soliciting" leaks and sought pre-approval for publication.
- That would bar reporting of classified or unauthorised material regardless of how it was obtained.
Historical Context Of Classified Leaks
- Publishing classified material has deep historical precedents like the Pentagon Papers that informed public debate.
- Under the new rules, such landmark disclosures would be explicitly forbidden.
