The Pentagon logo is seen behind the podium in the briefing room at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Al Drago

By Helen Coster

(Reuters) -The association representing journalists who cover the U.S. Department of Defense on Wednesday condemned a new press access policy that could see reporters lose their access as early as next week, a development that would constrain the media's ability to cover the world's most powerful military.

The Pentagon Press Association's statement followed negotiations between the department and media outlets that resulted in the Pentagon revising some of its initial demands.

“The policy conveys an unprecedented message of intimidation to everyone within the DoD, warning against any unapproved interactions with the press and even suggesting it’s criminal to speak without express permission -- which plainly, it is not,” the Pentagon Press Association wrote.

Reuters is a member of the association, which includes the New York Times, ABC News, Fox News and other outlets.

“Consistent with our commitment to supply reliable, impartial and independent news, we are continuing to review our options,” a Reuters spokesperson said.

A New York Times spokesperson said it also takes issue with the language.

“The Times appreciates the Pentagon's engagement, but problems remain with the policy and we and other news organizations believe further changes are needed."

ABC and Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The changes to the policy are the latest expansion of restrictions on press access to the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host.

In the original version of its new press access policy, the department asked journalists to put their initials next to several policies, including one stating that journalists could lose their credentials if they publish unclassified information that was not approved for release. Media advocates said the restrictions could stifle independent reporting.

The revised rules no longer require reporters to sign off individually on such policies but still ask them to affirm that they "understand" them. The association argues that puts unlawful restrictions on news gathering and, potentially, exposes journalists to prosecution and limits the public's access to independent reporting on military affairs.

The Pentagon has also outlined plans to move all news organizations out of their current workspaces, which the press association said will further isolate reporters, making it harder for them to interact “even with the spokespeople inside the Pentagon who are entrusted to approve information for public release.”

The Pentagon memo says department information shared by a military member or department employee must be approved for public release by an "appropriate authorizing official", even if it is unclassified.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson, said in a social media post that the department had engaged in "good faith negotiations" with the association, adding that Congress had made clear that unauthorized release of sensitive information by service members is a crime.

"Our policy is also clear: soliciting DOW (Department of War) service members and civilians to commit crimes is strictly prohibited. Beyond their displeasure at no longer being permitted to solicit criminal acts, the Pentagon Press Association’s objection to our updated media policy is that we require journalists to simply acknowledge they understand our rules protecting information critical to operational and national security," said Parnell.

Last month, Trump signed an executive order to rename the Department of Defense the "Department of War". That change will require congressional approval.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, an advocacy group, said the press access rules remained too restrictive.

"The fact is we still have concerns with the updated language of the policy and expect that it will pose a significant impediment as journalists weigh with their employers whether or not to sign this revised version," said Gabe Rottman, the group's vice president of policy.

The Defense Department’s policy comes amid growing concerns from media organizations and First Amendment scholars, who see moves by the Trump administration, taken together, as a broad attempt to suppress free speech.

Republican President Donald Trump has used the courts to attack major media outlets over unflattering coverage. He has filed nine media-related civil suits since 2020, including a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times and book publisher Penguin Random House in September, and a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal in July.

(Reporting by Helen Coster in New York; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis)