Overview
- Photographers from outlets including AP, Reuters and Getty were allowed at a March 2 Iran-war briefing, after which staff reportedly complained the images of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were “unflattering.”
- Independent press photographers were then blocked from the March 4 and March 10 briefings, and reporting indicates only Defense Department staff photographers have been allowed since.
- Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said uncredentialed outlets are limited to one representative and that official photos are released for public use, urging outlets to apply for Pentagon credentials.
- Press organizations condemned the new restriction, with the National Press Photographers Association calling for access to be restored and warning of harm to transparency during wartime reporting.
- On Friday, Atlantic reporter Nancy Youssef said she and print photographers were denied entry to the day’s briefing, as legal challenges to broader Pentagon media rules continue, including a New York Times lawsuit argued last week.