Five major media outlets released a joint statement refusing to agree with the Pentagon’s new press policy.

“Today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagon’s new requirements, which would restrict journalists’ ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues,” a joint statement from ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, CNN and Fox News Media read.

“The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections. We will continue to cover the U.S. military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the principles of a free and independent press,” it added.

NBC News has more:

The new policy says reporters could have their press passes revoked if they publish information that has not been authorized for release by the Pentagon, even if the information is unclassified.

The deadline to sign the new policy is 5 p.m. ET Tuesday, according to the Defense Department. Any media professional who declines to sign has 24 hours to turn in their Pentagon press credential and “clear their spaces” inside the sprawling government complex.

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“Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right. So, here is @DeptofWar press credentialing FOR DUMMIES,” Hegseth said.

“Pentagon now has same rules as every U.S military installation,” he continued.

The joint statement follows The New York Times, The Associated Press, and Newsmax saying they would not sign the document about the new press rules.

JUST IN: Major News Outlets REJECT Pete Hegseth’s New Pentagon Press Policy

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More from the Associated Press:

Those outlets say the policy threatens to punish them for routine news gathering protected by the First Amendment. The Washington Post, The Atlantic and Reuters on Monday also publicly joined the group that says it will not be signing. AP confirmed Monday afternoon that it would not sign.

“Reuters is bound by its commitment to accurate, impartial and independent news,” the agency said in a statement. “We also steadfastly believe in the press protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution, the unrestricted flow of information and journalism that serves the public interest without fear or favor. The Pentagon’s new restrictions erode these fundamental values.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reacted by posting the Times’ statement on X and adding a hand-waving emoji. His team has said that reporters who don’t acknowledge the policy in writing by Tuesday must turn in badges admitting them to the Pentagon and clear out their workspaces the next day.

 

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