Oct 8 (Reuters) - The association representing

journalists who cover the U.S. Department of Defense on

Wednesday condemned a new press access policy that could see

reporters lose their access as early as next week, a development

that would constrain the media's ability to cover the world's

most powerful military.

The Pentagon Press Association's statement followed

negotiations between the department and media outlets that

resulted in the Pentagon revising some of its initial demands.

"The policy conveys an unprecedented message of intimidation

to everyone within the DoD, warning against any unapproved

interactions with the press and even suggesting it's criminal to

speak without express permission -- which plainly, it is not,"

the Pentagon Press Association wrote.

Reuters is a member of the association, which includes the

New York Times ( NYT ), ABC News, Fox News and other outlets.

"Consistent with our commitment to supply reliable,

impartial and independent news, we are continuing to review our

options," a Reuters spokesperson said.

A New York Times ( NYT ) spokesperson said it also takes issue with

the language.

"The Times appreciates the Pentagon's engagement, but

problems remain with the policy and we and other news

organizations believe further changes are needed."

ABC and Fox News did not immediately respond to a request

for comment.

The changes to the policy are the latest expansion of

restrictions on press access to the Pentagon under Defense

Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host.

In the original version of its new press access policy, the

department asked journalists to put their initials next to

several policies, including one stating that journalists could

lose their credentials if they publish unclassified information

that was not approved for release. Media advocates said the

restrictions could stifle independent reporting.

The revised rules no longer require reporters to sign off

individually on such policies but still ask them to affirm that

they "understand" them. The association argues that puts

unlawful restrictions on news gathering and, potentially,

exposes journalists to prosecution and limits the public's

access to independent reporting on military affairs.

The Pentagon has also outlined plans to move all news

organizations out of their current workspaces, which the press

association said will further isolate reporters, making it

harder for them to interact "even with the spokespeople inside

the Pentagon who are entrusted to approve information for public

release."

The Pentagon memo says department information shared by a

military member or department employee must be approved for

public release by an "appropriate authorizing official", even if

it is unclassified.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson, said in a

social media post that the department had engaged in "good faith

negotiations" with the association, adding that Congress had

made clear that unauthorized release of sensitive information by

service members is a crime.

"Our policy is also clear: soliciting DOW (Department of

War) service members and civilians to commit crimes is strictly

prohibited. Beyond their displeasure at no longer being

permitted to solicit criminal acts, the Pentagon Press

Association's objection to our updated media policy is that we

require journalists to simply acknowledge they understand our

rules protecting information critical to operational and

national security," said Parnell.

Last month, Trump signed an executive order to rename the

Department of Defense the "Department of War". That change will

require congressional approval.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, an

advocacy group, said the press access rules remained too

restrictive.

"The fact is we still have concerns with the updated

language of the policy and expect that it will pose a

significant impediment as journalists weigh with their employers

whether or not to sign this revised version," said Gabe Rottman,

the group's vice president of policy.

The Defense Department's policy comes amid growing concerns

from media organizations and First Amendment scholars, who see

moves by the Trump administration, taken together, as a broad

attempt to suppress free speech.

Republican President Donald Trump has used the courts to

attack major media outlets over unflattering coverage. He has

filed nine media-related civil suits since 2020, including a $15

billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times ( NYT ) and book

publisher Penguin Random House in September, and a $10 billion

lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal in July.