Major U.S. news organizations are rejecting a new Pentagon policy that requires journalists to pledge not to obtain unauthorized information and restricts access to certain areas without official escorts.

Outlets including The Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, Reuters, NPR, and The Atlantic said they will not sign the agreement, calling it an unconstitutional attack on press freedom.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who introduced the policy, mocked critics online and defended the rules as necessary for national security.

The Pentagon Press Association condemned the move as an intimidation tactic that could criminalize normal reporting and restrict communication within the Defense Department, The Guardian has reported.

While right-wing outlet One America News accepted the new terms, even conservative networks like Newsmax refused to sign, saying the policy is unnecessary and burdensome.