12.03.2026 08:20
The Pentagon's decision to not allow photojournalists to attend Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's last two briefings on the Iran war has brought the tension between the Trump administration and mainstream media back into focus.
The Pentagon did not allow photojournalists to attend the last two press briefings held by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the war in Iran. The Department of Defense has not provided any explanation for why this long-standing established policy has changed.
AVOIDED COMMENTING
While Pentagon spokesperson Joel Valdez avoided commenting on the issue, it is reported that the Department of Defense under Hegseth has had a tense relationship with the press members who have been following it for some time.
MAJOR CRISIS IN THE MEDIA
The new rules introduced during the Trump administration restricted the working areas and access opportunities of many mainstream media organizations operating at the Pentagon. Many major media organizations that did not accept these rules vacated their offices at the Pentagon. It was stated that a press group working largely for outlets close to President Donald Trump, which accepted the rules, replaced the aforementioned media organizations.
The Pentagon administration continues to provide temporary access cards to reporters who have left their offices so they can attend Defense Secretary Hegseth's war briefings. However, it is noted that Hegseth rarely gives a word to reporters from these "traditional" media organizations. Nevertheless, during the meeting held on Tuesday, New York Times reporter Eric Schmitt was granted the right to ask a question.
LAWSUIT FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to lift the press restrictions imposed by Hegseth. A hearing was held last week before U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman as part of the lawsuit.
The newspaper's spokesperson Charles Stadtlander stated, "It is of great public service importance to enable journalists to report comprehensively about the U.S. military. This includes photojournalists who have the right to attend briefings and accreditation," he said. The U.S.-based Associated Press has not yet made a statement regarding the exclusion of photojournalists from the meeting. It was noted that the restrictions imposed by the Pentagon do not cover video cameras.
DISCUSSION ON SCHOOL ATTACK
Meanwhile, the bombing of a girls' school in Iran, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 175 people, including many children, has sparked a new debate between Washington and the New York Times. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt criticized the New York Times' reports on the investigation process in a statement made on Tuesday.
Leavitt said, "We will not allow the New York Times, which publishes articles filled with unverified claims by the Department, to harass us into hastily closing this investigation just because they want it," she said. In contrast, the New York Times claimed in a report based on unnamed sources that the administration's initial findings indicated that the U.S. was responsible for the attack in question.