The United States Department of Defense has barred journalists from its press office, a move media freedom advocates are condemning as the latest effort to restrict independent reporting on the US military. The decision was announced on Monday by Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez.

Valdez stated that the press office has been re-designated as a “Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility” because speechwriters within the office handle classified government information and require access to secure networks like SIPRNet. This re-designation means journalists will no longer be permitted to enter the physical office space.

Access to the offices of the Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs and the Press Secretary will now only be available by appointment, according to Valdez. The Washington Post was the first to report on this change in policy. The Pentagon's stated reason for the change is to safeguard classified material accessed by its speechwriting staff.

This restriction follows a series of measures implemented by the administration to limit media access to information concerning the military and other government functions. In March, the Defense Department announced it would no longer permit media outlets to maintain offices within the Pentagon. This decision came after a judge ruled in favor of The New York Times in a legal challenge against new press credentialing rules.

Further complicating media access, the Pentagon also introduced a policy requiring journalists to be officially escorted at all times while within the Pentagon complex. The New York Times is currently pursuing legal action to overturn this escort policy in a separate lawsuit filed in May.

The National Press Club, a prominent professional organization for journalists in the U.S., has strongly criticized the latest restrictions. President Mark Schoeff Jr. described the move as a "troubling escalation" in attempts to reduce media scrutiny of the Defense Department. He emphasized that independent reporting on the military is essential for public information and oversight.

Seth Stern, director of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, also voiced criticism, questioning the Pentagon's justification for classifying the press office. He suggested it is unusual for such a space to require classification, implying potential ulterior motives.

These actions raise significant concerns about transparency and the public's right to information regarding national security and military operations. The restrictions could impact the ability of journalists to gather news and hold institutions accountable, potentially leaving the public less informed.