During his appearance on ‘Special Report,’ Fox News senior strategic analyst Gen. Jack Keane provided his insights into the Trump administration’s new Pentagon press access policy. Keane expressed his concerns about the policy’s approach to controlling the narrative by restricting journalists’ ability to report freely, which he believes undermines the fundamental role of journalism in informing the public. He emphasized that the policy is an attempt to feed the media with information, thereby limiting their ability to uncover the full story and report objectively.
Keane highlighted that true journalism requires reporters to actively seek out the facts and engage with sources, rather than passively receiving information. He cautioned that this new policy could have significant negative implications for media freedom and the public’s right to information. His comments underscore the growing tensions between the military establishment and the press, with journalists and news organizations resisting the new restrictions. The Pentagon, led by Secretary Pete Hegseth, has implemented the policy, which requires journalists to agree to specific conditions for access, a move that has sparked widespread criticism.
Major news organizations, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, FOX News Media, and NBC News, have expressed their opposition to the policy. In a joint statement, they said they are declining to agree to the Pentagon’s new requirements, which they say restrict journalists’ ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues. The organizations emphasized that the policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections, but they reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the principles of a free and independent press. This ongoing conflict between the military and the media highlights the broader debate over the role of the press in a democratic society.