Pentagon Restricts Unescorted Press Access to Shared SCIF to Protect Classified Information

The Defense Department has redesignated its press office a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, barring journalists from entering the space without an escort. The acting Pentagon press secretary stated that speechwriters from the Office of the Secretary of War share the facility and handle classified material, making continued journalist access incompatible with security rules.

Journalists will no longer be permitted to enter the office space, the statement added.

The redesignation was first reported by the Washington Post and later confirmed by the acting press secretary in a social media post. The acting press secretary wrote that the Pentagon is the most transparent war department in history and that no amount of spin from the Fake News media will change that assessment.

The department began tightening press rules in September by requiring journalists to sign agreements limiting collection of unauthorized information.

Many credentialed reporters declined and surrendered their passes. In October the department announced a new press corps of 60 journalists drawn from far-right outlets. The New York Times sued over policies that labeled journalists security risks; a federal judge ruled for the newspaper in March.

After that ruling the department issued an interim escort requirement. A district judge found the policy violated the earlier order, but an appeals court stayed part of the decision while the government appeals. In May the New York Times filed a second lawsuit arguing the escort policy amounts to an unconstitutional attempt to prevent independent reporting on military affairs.