October 14 marked a deadline set by the Pentagon for accredited members of the media to sign a controversial pledge to retain access rights to the building. Dozens of outlets, including right-leaning Fox News and the Washington Times, refused with only a couple agreeing to unprecedented and arguably unconstitutional restrictions. In this edition of Update-1, NPC Broadcast/Podcast co-chair Adam Konowe speaks with Aaron Mehta, editor-in-chief of Breaking Defense and a Pentagon Press Association board member. Mehta explains how journalists had worked previously under administrations of both parties, the fundamental problems associated with the new pledge, why it was important for the defense trade media to unify under a single statement of opposition, and how reporters covering the Pentagon will continue to do so - albeit from a distance.
October 14 marked a deadline set by the Pentagon for accredited members of the media to sign a controversial pledge to retain access rights to the building. Dozens of outlets, including right-leaning Fox News and the Washington Times, refused with only a couple agreeing to unprecedented and arguably unconstitutional restrictions. In this edition of Update-1, NPC Broadcast/Podcast co-chair Adam Konowe speaks with Aaron Mehta, editor-in-chief of Breaking Defense and a Pentagon Press Association board member. Mehta explains how journalists had worked previously under administrations of both parties, the fundamental problems associated with the new pledge, why it was important for the defense trade media to unify under a single statement of opposition, and how reporters covering the Pentagon will continue to do so - albeit from a distance.