Washington: The Pentagon has informed journalists that they must agree to refrain from disclosing unauthorised information or risk losing their access to the building. This directive is part of a series of new restrictions aiming to limit journalists' movement within the facility, which currently houses the Department of War, previously known as the Department of Defense. These changes come in response to a series of leaks that have occurred in recent months.

According to BBC, the newly imposed guidelines stipulate that information from the Department of War must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorising official, even if the information is unclassified. Journalists are required to acknowledge that their press credentials may be determined based on any unauthorised access, attempted unauthorised access, or unauthorised disclosure of classified national security information, or information designated as controlled unclassified information.

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the guidelines provided to credentialed resident media at the Pentagon reaffirm the standards already in place at other military bases across the country. Parnell described these as basic, common-sense guidelines designed to protect sensitive information, national security, and the safety of all personnel working at the Pentagon.

The issue of information handling has been a recurring concern. Hegseth faced scrutiny for his handling of sensitive information after sharing details about a bombing in Yemen on a group chat that included a reporter. This incident occurred in March, when former national security advisor Michael Waltz, now the US ambassador to the UN, inadvertently invited the journalist to the chat.

The administration expressed anger in June following the leak of an intelligence report that appeared to contradict official statements regarding the damage caused by US strikes on Iran's nuclear program.