I'm about to share a bold statement: I'm handing in my Pentagon press pass, and here's why it matters.
The Defense Department has recently implemented a controversial policy, one that threatens to silence the very journalists tasked with holding our government accountable. This new rule warns that journalists could lose their press credentials for simply seeking information, even if it's unclassified and not officially approved for release. It's a move that stifles the free flow of information and undermines the very essence of journalism.
Imagine a world where reporters are reduced to mere stenographers, mindlessly parroting press releases without question. That's the future we're facing if we sign this document. No reputable news organization, from mainstream outlets like NPR, The Washington Post, and CNN, to conservative voices like The Washington Times and Newsmax, has agreed to these terms. It's a united front against this unprecedented restriction.
For 28 years, I've held this press pass, and it's given me access to the inner workings of the Pentagon. I've walked those halls, talked to officers from around the globe, and gained insights that challenged the official narratives. As a journalist, it's my duty to solicit information, to uncover the truth behind the scenes, and to question what we're told by those in power.
Take, for instance, the fall of Baghdad in 2003. Then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld declared it a success, but an officer I spoke with at the Pentagon painted a different picture. He warned that Saddam Hussein's supporters were attacking supply lines, and more troops would be needed to guard them. This was a direct result of the inadequate number of forces sent to Iraq, a fact I reported on before the war even began.
My reporting helped shed light on the reality faced by U.S. troops, a reality that was far from the success story peddled by the administration. It highlighted the beginning of an insurgency that plagued our country for years.
In 2009, when the Obama administration announced a surge of State Department employees to Afghanistan, a Marine officer later told me they never saw that surge. And the Afghan "government in a box" initiative? It failed, as one general put it, "Next time they tell you there's a government in a box, check the box."
I reported these stories because it's my job to inform the public, to hold the government accountable for the wars they wage. Over the years, NPR reporters, producers, and photographers, and I have spent countless hours in combat zones, getting to know the soldiers and Marines on the ground. We heard their perspectives, often vastly different from the official line at the Pentagon.
In June 2016, I was part of an NPR team embedded with Afghan forces, trying to ascertain the truth about America's longest war. That day, we lost two brave colleagues, photographer David Gilkey and translator Zabihullah Tammana, in an ambush. It was a stark reminder of the risks journalists take to bring the truth to light.
In the lobby of NPR's headquarters, there's a memorial to David and Zabi, including one of David's cameras, scorched and damaged. It's a testament to their dedication and the importance of our work.
We've received information, both solicited and unsolicited, about failed policies, botched military operations, and wasteful government projects. It's our job to report on these issues, to ensure transparency and accountability.
But now, we're facing a severe information drought from the Pentagon. In the 10 months since the Trump administration took office, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given just two briefings. There have been virtually no background briefings, a stark contrast to previous administrations where regular press briefings were the norm.
Thomas Jefferson, despite his own misgivings about the press, understood the importance of a free and fair media. He wrote, "Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost." It's a powerful reminder of the role journalism plays in safeguarding our democracy.
So, how will the American people find out what's being done in their name, with their tax dollars, and more importantly, the decisions that could impact their loved ones? Without reporters asking questions, the Pentagon leadership seems content to rely on polished social media posts, carefully curated videos, and partisan commentators.
Is this good enough? I say no. We deserve better. We deserve a free press that holds those in power accountable. That's why I'm handing in my press pass, and I hope it sparks a conversation about the importance of a free and independent media.
