US judge blocks Pentagon’s press access policy after New York Times lawsuit

Lawsuit alleged changes gave DoD free rein to punish reporters and outlets over coverage it did not like

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A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration’s restrictive Pentagon press access policy, which threatens journalists with being branded security risks if they seek information not authorized for public release.

The lawsuit by the New York Times in the Washington DC federal court alleged that policy changes by the defense department last year gave it free rein to freeze out reporters and news outlets over coverage the department did not like, in violation of the constitution’s protections for free speech and due process.