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A uthor: Amy Kristin Sanders , Penn State

Throughout modern American history, reporters who cover the Pentagon have played an invaluable role in shining a light on military actions when the government has not been forthright with the public.

For instance, reporters covering the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2021 revealed the chaos that ensued and repudiated official statements claiming the pullout was smooth. That included reporting on a drone strike that killed 10 civilians, not ISIS militants, as the government initially claimed .

But free press advocates warn that recent changes in a Pentagon policy threaten journalists

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