News Corp’s The Australian has done a dramatic U-turn on its decision to sign up the Pentagon’s new controversial press rules, which led every major news outlet, including Murdoch-owned Fox News, handing over their passes.

Just hours after The Australian was revealed to be one of just 11 global news outlets to have agreed to the new rules, a spokesperson told this masthead that it had “revoked our assent”, citing press freedom concerns.

“The Australian has reviewed the Pentagon’s new press rules and requirements. They raise serious concerns and place undue limits on press freedoms,” a spokesperson for The Australian said.

“Because of The Australian ’s long-held position on independent journalism and press freedom, we have advised the Pentagon that we have revoked our assent.”

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