New York Times suit over Pentagon press rules set for March hearing

The New York Times urged the U.S. District Court in Washington on Monday to rule in its favor in a lawsuit it filed last month against the Pentagon over new rules for journalists, a case that is on track to be heard by a judge in March. The Times has said restrictions imposed by the Pentagon in October infringe on the constitutional rights of journalists, and in a filing late on Monday argued the Defense Department's policy "aims to suppress independent journalism that seeks to report any information beyond what the department has approved for public release." The parties filed a joint motion on Dec.

17 seeking to skip discovery and set a schedule for summary judgment; oral arguments are scheduled for March 6 before Judge Paul Friedman. David McCraw, The Times's top newsroom lawyer, said the company did not think discovery was necessary, arguing that the policy "as written — the words on paper — constitute a constitutional violation." The Pentagon declined to comment on active litigation and previously called the restrictions a "common sense" measure, saying it is "about preventing leaks that damage operational security and national security." Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, has championed measures to claw back access and privileges that Pentagon reporters had enjoyed for years; dozens of journalists handed in their press passes rather than sign on and have continued covering the military from outside the building.

Key Topics

Politics, Pentagon, U.s. District Court, Paul Friedman, David Mccraw, Pete Hegseth