Arlington, VA – The Pentagon has rolled out updated rules for media access this week, effective October 15, 2025. Dubbed Pentagon Facility Alternative Credentials (PFACs), these guidelines replace previous protocols with a structured framework aimed at safeguarding a building that’s as much a nerve center for national defense as it is a hub for public information.
While dozens of journalists from major outlets like The New York Times, CNN, and even Fox News have dramatically turned in their badges in protest—vacating shared workspaces in a symbolic walkout—the changes deserve a measured nod of approval. After all, this isn’t the open-air spectacle of Congress, where elected officials thrive on unscripted drama. The Pentagon is a working military facility, teeming with classified operations and personnel whose daily tasks could tip the scales of global security. Prioritizing leak prevention over a reporter’s dash for an exclusive “scoop” from an undisclosed source isn’t just prudent—it’s essential.
The new rules, outlined in a May 2025 memo and refined through an October 6 update, stem from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency’s (PFPA) need to tighten physical and information controls amid rising threats. At their core, they require media members to complete a “Security Awareness Briefing” and sign an acknowledgment pledging compliance with Department of War (DoW) policies—no small ask, but one that underscores the gravity of the environment. Key provisions include:
- Visible Credentials and Escort Mandates: PFACs must be worn above the waist at all times (except during approved events like briefings), and unescorted access is limited to narrow zones, such as the first-floor food court between Corridors 1 and 10 or specific paths on upper floors (detailed in Appendices C and D). Elsewhere, public affairs escorts are required, ensuring journalists don’t inadvertently wander into sensitive areas.
- Information Safeguards: The briefing explicitly warns against unauthorized disclosure of Classified National Security Information (CNSI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), with potential revocation for violations under laws like 18 U.S.C. §§ 793 and 952. This isn’t a gag order on reporting—media can still publish anything they learn through proper channels—but it draws a firm line against soliciting or handling non-public materials that could endanger lives or operations.
- Filming and Recording Restrictions: Per 32 CFR 234.15, cameras and recorders are prohibited without at least one week’s advance approval from PFPA or the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. Exceptions abound for official press events, unilateral stand-ups in the Briefing Room, or DoD-monitored interviews, preserving the visual storytelling that defines modern coverage.
These measures aren’t born of paranoia; they’re a direct response to the Pentagon’s unique mandate. Unlike the Capitol, where transparency is baked into democratic oversight, the E-Ring houses strategists plotting responses to cyber threats, missile defenses, and covert ops. A leaked memo or ambushed official spilling beans mid-corridor isn’t just embarrassing—it’s a vector for adversaries. The rules affirm that access is a “privilege subject to the discretion of government officials,” not an unfettered right, aligning with longstanding regs like 32 CFR Part 234.
And crucially, they don’t shutter the doors to journalism: Reporters retain full entree to public briefings, podium announcements, and any declassified info shared via the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (OATSD(PA)). No story is off-limits; the only taboo is the ambush-style sourcing that turns a secure workspace into a free-for-all.
That said, the framework isn’t flawless, and here’s where reservations creep in:
These rules could inadvertently squeeze independent media, the scrappy underdogs who often deliver the most unvarnished takes on defense matters. Requirements like sponsorship through a U.S. public affairs office and proof of “minimum monthly” visits for renewals (initial three-month PFACs, then six-month probationary periods) favor entrenched outlets with deep pockets and dedicated Pentagon beats.
Freelancers or solo operators—think podcasters dissecting procurement scandals or bloggers tracking drone ethics—might struggle to secure that elusive sponsor or log the requisite face time without institutional backing. Add vague revocation triggers like “unprofessional conduct” or “soliciting non-public info,” and the chilling effect on diverse voices grows. As one defense trade press statement lamented, this risks sidelining “smaller publications specializing in military coverage” at a time when broad scrutiny is vital.
It’s a fair critique, echoed in the en masse badge surrenders: Over 30 outlets, from giants to niche players, opted out rather than ink the pledge, warning of eroded First Amendment ground. Yet even here, the Pentagon’s revisions show flexibility—issuance for existing PFACs extends through October 31, and parking perks like designated “PRESS” spots remain for compliant crews. During emergencies, from pandemics to active threats, access might tighten for all, but that’s workforce protection, not press persecution.
Ultimately, these rules fortify the Pentagon’s dual role: a fortress of secrets and a fountain of facts. By channeling media energy toward structured engagement—escorted interviews, approved footage, and robust briefings—they enhance, rather than hinder, accountable reporting. Independents deserve a carve-out to level the field, perhaps via streamlined sponsorship for verified freelancers. But in a world of hybrid warfare and info ops, national security can’t play second fiddle to the thrill of the scoop.
As the dust settles from this week’s exodus, let’s hope cooler heads prevail. But let us not forget that the press, who have set their own hair on fire over this issue, have reported 90% negative news coverage of the Trump administration and are, without any doubt, hostile to every action taken by this administration. So, a bit of perspective is in order.
** A copy of the entire rules and regulations can be found here:
Pipkins Reports is committed to fair, fact-based coverage of defense and national security. Views expressed are those of the author.