October 17, 2025
Statement from Brenda Victoria Castillo, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition
Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth introduced a policy prohibiting journalists from reporting on any “unauthorized material”, even if the information is unclassified. Journalists who do not agree to this new policy will have their press passes revoked indefinitely. NHMC condemns this blatant attack on our constitutionally protected freedom of the press.
Hegseth’s policy was met with unanimous resistance from the nation's leading media organizations. At least 30 news organizations declined to sign a new Pentagon access policy for journalists, including Fox News, The New York Times, ABC News, and The Guardian, all declined to sign the agreement. There is currently only one news outlet that has agreed to the policy, and it now stands as the sole organization covering the Pentagon. The remaining news outlet is a far-right organization that has pushed dangerous narratives that threaten democracy and marginalized communities.
This policy represents a clear and deliberate violation of the First Amendment. The American public has a fundamental right to know how its government operates, and the press plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability. For decades, media outlets have reported on the Pentagon without being subjected to restrictions like these. On Wednesday, there is footage from PBSNews, where journalists are seemingly packing up their belongings and equipment from their offices within the Pentagon. This is the first time in U.S. history that we have limited access to the Pentagon.
Outlets across the political spectrum are standing together to defend press freedom, a rare and powerful show of unity in the face of government overreach.
NHMC condemns these new policies and remains dedicated to protecting all forms of press. To learn more about our efforts to #DefendThePress, read our letter to FCC Chairman Carr.
Yours in the Movement,
Brenda Victoria Castillo
President & CEO
National Hispanic Media Coalition
