Sources & Methods Without a press corps, who holds the Pentagon to account?
24 snips
Sep 25, 2025 
Odette Yousef, NPR's domestic extremism correspondent, discusses the implications of the Antifa designation as a domestic terrorist organization. She explains how this label, while not legally binding, impacts political discourse and investigative reporting. The podcast also delves into the Pentagon's new press pass requirements, which could stifle journalistic freedom, reducing reporters to mere stenographers. Yousef highlights the chilling effects on sources and examines the decentralized nature of Antifa, raising questions about accountability and public perception.
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Pentagon Access Shrunk Dramatically
- The Pentagon once allowed reporters broad access to halls, briefings, and informal conversations that revealed behind-the-scenes realities.
- Restricting reporters to a press area fundamentally reduces oversight and the flow of unfiltered information.
Refuse Restrictive Reporting Pledges
- Do not sign a pledge that forbids reporting unapproved unclassified or classified material, as it would make you a Pentagon stenographer.
- Refuse such restrictions to preserve independent newsgathering and government accountability.
Press Pass Equals Global Access
- Losing a Pentagon press pass blocks access not just to headquarters but to U.S. military bases worldwide.
- Credential revocation thus limits war reporting and oversight of military operations abroad.
