New York Times reporters are expected to return to the Pentagon on Monday, more than five months after the paper and dozens of news outlets gave up their credentials in response to a new restrictive press policy.
The Times sued the Defense Department in December, arguing that the policy violated the First and Fifth Amendments. Senior Judge Paul Friedman of the U.S. District Court ruled Friday that the policy was unconstitutional and ordered the Pentagon to restore the press credentials for Pentagon reporter Julian Barnes — a plaintiff in the case — as well as any other Times journalists.
“We’ve heard from the Pentagon and they’ve indicated our journalists will get space and credentials today at some point,” a Times spokesperson told TheWrap on Monday.
The junta is, of course, appealing the verdict.
I took no offence, but I appreciate the clarification.
To me, this is not about The New York Times, but rather the larger implications for the industry as a whole, rickety though it may be. At the risk of bastardizing Voltaire, I would have the same thoughts if OANN were the plaintiff.
Who gets access is less important than that everyone gets access. We don’t have a functioning Fourth Estate without that.