The article, written by Gary Kopycinski, discusses the alarming state of press freedom in the United States as of October 15, 2025. It reveals that the Pentagon has confiscated press badges from major media organizations after they refused to comply with a new policy that threatens to criminalize national security reporting. This unprecedented move has drawn widespread condemnation, with organizations like Fox News, CNN, NBC News, CBS News, and ABC News uniting in opposition.
The Pentagon Press Association highlights that this decision undermines transparency and accountability in governance, while other journalism associations express solidarity and emphasize the public’s right to know about military activities. NPR’s editor also criticizes the policy for jeopardizing independent journalism, stating it allows the military too much control over what is reported. The authors call this situation a dark day for press freedom in the U.S., underscoring concerns about increasing authoritarianism and threats to free speech.
