Daily Signal Is Obtaining Pentagon Press Credentials

There is no greater duty for American journalists than to truthfully inform the public about their government, most especially efforts to keep the homeland safe from national security threats both foreign and domestic.

Many have honored that patriotic obligation with distinction. More than 50 years ago, journalists reporting on the Vietnam War uncovered startling information and revealed government deception. More recently, investigations into the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq exposed strategic failures of our leaders. These kinds of stories have challenged the perception of our government and altered the course of American history.

Sadly, too many journalists in recent years have abdicated this responsibility.

Some reported that President Donald Trump colluded with Russia to influence the results of the 2016 election. Some published anonymous claims that the sitting president called service members “suckers and losers” despite mountains of on-the-record evidence to the contrary. Some failed to thoroughly investigate claims of “Russian bounties” on U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

These stories eroded the public’s trust in media and jeopardized the credibility of the press.

Access vs. Accountability

For journalists, the tension between access and accountability will always be a real one. Access in the form of relationships helps journalists to understand more fully the powerful institutions they cover and accurately communicate complex issues to the public. Accountability demands that journalists challenge those same relationships by scrutinizing the individuals vested with public authority.

Good journalism is defined by prudently navigating this irreducible trade-off—never overcoming it, only managing it with vigilance and integrity.

Pentagon’s New Press Guidance

The Department of War recently released updated press guidance for coverage of the Pentagon. These guidelines have sparked a vigorous public debate over whether the new policy upsets the balance between access and accountability, thus compromising core journalistic principles. 

Some publications have fallen on either side of the debate after good-faith consideration. Others appear to be deliberately misrepresenting this policy.

Despite the protests of some members of the Pentagon press corps, the public deserves truthful reporting on national security. Now is a critical time to do that work.

The current administration is seeking the wholesale revitalization of the American military, the restructuring of our defense industrial base, and the emergence of world-changing military technologies. Meanwhile, America is engaging in military action against Venezuela and drug traffickers, an uneasy ceasefire holds in the Middle East, and the pursuit of peace between Russia and Ukraine continues.

The Daily Signal’s Decision

With this in mind, The Daily Signal has decided to obtain credentials for the Pentagon.

This decision came after consulting legal advisers, trusted industry colleagues, and national security experts, plus Department of War staff who crafted the policy and explained how it would impact our work.

The Daily Signal holds itself to the highest standards of journalism. Our duty to truthfully report on national security—striking the proper balance between access and accountability—is not negotiable. Nothing in the Pentagon’s updated guidelines can or will alter our methods and reporting, both of which are of paramount importance for our news organization.

We will continue to adhere to the journalistic principles and practices that have guided our work since 2014. We are committed to serving our audience as a reliable source of news. That’s our promise.

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