A recent government memo announcing new restrictions for journalists reporting at the Pentagon has received pushback from media organizations and politicians.
We, members of The NewEnglander, the student run Newspaper at New England College, believe that these demands to restrict journalists are a complete violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
On Sept. 18, a Department of War (DoW) memo was released, limiting commonly accessed areas of the Pentagon by members of the press, and requiring all credentialed reporters to sign a pledge to not gather or use unauthorized material.
“DoW remains committed to transparency to promote accountability and public trust. However, DoW information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified,” the memo states.
In a democracy, journalists cannot be told what to publish.
The First Amendment protects the rights and freedom of the press.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
-First Amendment, U.S. Constitution
Congress did not pass a law. The faculty that make up the Pentagon have come to this decision on their own and this demand would require journalists to go against ethical standards that have been practiced and developed for generations.
Journalism should not be monitored or controlled by the government, which is why we have the First Amendment. Journalists hold officials, people, and organizations of high importance in the government and in society accountable and we turn over information that should be public knowledge to keep people informed.
Journalists should ban together in times like these and remember why we do what we do.
Signed,
Soob Soobitsky
Tess Anderson
Jack Lombardo
Kenray Emadamerho
Lauren Hall
Lucas Woods
Leah Bohling
Colleen McElveen (Advisor)
