New York Times sues Pentagon a second time over press access policy
The New York Times has filed a second lawsuit against the Pentagon, challenging a press access policy that requires journalists to be escorted on the premises. The newspaper argues that this policy infringes on First and Fifth Amendment rights and limits independent reporting on military affairs. The Pentagon maintains that the policy is lawful and necessary for national security.
- ▪The New York Times argues that the escort policy is unconstitutional and designed to limit unfavorable coverage.
- ▪The Pentagon's spokesperson claims the lawsuit is an attempt to access classified information without proper restrictions.
- ▪This lawsuit follows a previous case where parts of an earlier policy were struck down by a U.S. District Judge.
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Politics New York Times sues Pentagon a second time, calling press access policy "patently unconstitutional" May 18, 2026 / 7:39 PM EDT / CBS/AP Add CBS News on Google The New York Times sued the Defense Department on Monday for the second time in five months, arguing a requirement that journalists be escorted while on Pentagon grounds violates the First Amendment.The lawsuit casts the escort policy as part of "a series of escalating steps designed to stop unfavorable coverage" and "dramatically curtails longstanding press access to the Pentagon," in violation of the First and Fifth amendments. The policy is "an unconstitutional attempt by the Pentagon to prevent independent reporting on military affairs," a Times spokesman, Charlie Stadtlander, said in an email to The Associated Press.
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