Scoop: Pentagon restricts speaking engagements alongside media crackdown

"The memo arrived around the same time the Defense Department rolled out new media guidelines that require reporters to sign a pledge not to gather any information that hasn't been officially authorized for release, or risk losing their press credentials. Zoom in: The Sept. 15 memo to senior Pentagon leadership, combatant commanders and other national-security leaders lays out what is and what isn't subject to an "enhanced framework for participating in external engagements.""

"The guidelines are written in a broad way that gives the department latitude to turn down speaking gigs or other gatherings that could generate unfavorable news. For example, the department reserves the right to reject any external engagement with an organization or person that hasn't displayed "professionalism." The memo states that DOD will "prioritize engagements with organizations that comport themselves professionally - even if they disagree with the Department's positions.""

"The guidelines also put an emphasis on engagements that have "broad audiences" to ensure it's able to share information "widely, accurately, and as effectively as possible, consistent with the Department's commitment to transparency" and to ensure that personnel can "hear and learn from a wide range of perspectives." The memo notes that this guidance "does not require engagement solely with institutions that align with the Department's viewpoints" and that it will "make a concerted effort to engage with institutions whose representatives possess differing perspectives.""

Defense Department media and engagement policies now require reporters to pledge not to gather unauthorized information and threaten loss of press credentials for violations. A Sept. 15 memo to senior Pentagon and combatant commanders establishes an enhanced framework defining permissible external engagements. The guidance is broadly written, allowing the department to decline speaking engagements or gatherings that might generate unfavorable news and to reject organizations that have not displayed "professionalism." The department will prioritize engagements with professional organizations and emphasize events with broad audiences to share information widely and enable personnel to hear diverse perspectives. The guidance states it does not require alignment with departmental viewpoints.

Read at Axios