Washington: Almost all reporters based at the Pentagon have packed their belongings and walked out of the building after the Department of War cancelled their passes for refusing to sign up to new conditions that media outlets have described as censorious, anti-democratic and “disturbing”.

The unprecedented display follows several weeks of discussions between the Pentagon and media organisations over the new policy, which, among other things, says journalists cannot solicit information that officials have not authorised for public release.

Almost every news organisation across the political spectrum refused to accept the conditions, including News Corp’s Fox News, the conservative channel Newsmax, major newspapers and TV networks, and newswires such as AP, Reuters and AFP.

At least one

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