New York Times, AP, Newsmax and others say they won't sign new Pentagon rules

Refusal to Sign & Nature of the New Rules

• Many commenters praise outlets refusing to sign as rare examples of institutional backbone amid growing pre‑emptive compliance.
• Shared copy of the rules highlights the most controversial change: reporting of classified (CNSI) and “controlled unclassified” information (CUI) could cost outlets their Pentagon access unless pre‑cleared by officials.
• Critics see this as converting independent press into a Defense Department PR arm; supporters argue it’s about protecting sensitive information, not all reporting.

First Amendment, Access, and “Terms of Service”

• Debate over whether the Constitution requires physical press access to facilities; some think outlets would lose in court, others think punitive access denial based on content is unconstitutional.
• One side frames the policy as a neutral rule everyone must “agree to,” like any ToS.
• Opponents counter that the requirement itself is arbitrary, that refusing to sign is a protected act, and that equal application doesn’t make an unconstitutional condition legitimate.

Press Freedom, Propaganda, and Autocracy Concerns

• Many see this as part of a broader “assault on the press” and a deliberate chilling of scrutiny of the military and executive branch.
• Strong fears that this is one step in a “speedrun to autocracy”: normalizing military involvement in domestic affairs, tightening control over information, then manipulating elections.
• Some predict militarized “securing” of polling places and chain‑of‑custody of ballots; others think outright cancellation of elections is unlikely but acknowledge serious risks.

Right‑Wing Media & Access Politics

• Discussion notes that one fringe-right outlet reportedly intends to sign, reinforcing its reputation as a loyal propaganda outlet.
• Another right‑leaning channel declining to sign surprises some, who assume it expects to benefit when power changes hands.

Distrust of Both Pentagon and Legacy Media

• Several argue major outlets already act as tools of elites and have long failed on issues like wars, surveillance, financial crises, and political scandals.
• Others push back that this history doesn’t justify further state control or retaliation against critical coverage.

Tone, Competence, and “Terminally Online” Governance

• Commenters criticize the defense secretary’s social‑media taunting of reporters as unserious and lowbrow.
• Broader frustration surfaces about politicians’ competence, online performativity, and the public’s appetite for leaders who wield power cruelly rather than responsibly.