New York Times sues Pentagon a second time, calling press access policy "patently unconstitutional"
The New York Times sued the Defense Department on Monday for the second time in five months, arguing a requirement that journalists be escorted while on Pentagon grounds violates the First Amendment.
TL;DR
- The New York Times has sued the Pentagon for the second time in five months.
- The lawsuit challenges a policy requiring journalists to be escorted while on Pentagon grounds, citing a violation of the First Amendment.
- The Times claims the policy is an attempt to stop unfavorable coverage and curtails longstanding press access.
- The Defense Department spokesperson called the lawsuit an attempt to gain access to classified information.
- A previous lawsuit by the Times led to a judge striking down parts of an older policy, after which the Pentagon imposed the current escort policy.
- The Pentagon asserts the escort policy is lawful and narrowly designed to protect national security.