New York Times Tells Judge Pentagon Is Evading Press‑Access Injunction With Escort‑Only Policy
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The New York Times told Judge Paul Friedman that the Pentagon’s interim press‑access policy imposes “radical new restrictions” and is an “attempted end‑run” around the March 20 order, with reporter Julian Barnes declaring that credentialed journalists are confined to a library press area they cannot reach without corridors or shuttles they aren’t authorized to use — a setup Friedman likened to “Catch‑22” or “Kafka.” The Times says the policy bars entry without an escort, requires day‑ahead requests for specific, pre‑arranged events (making Facility Alternate Credentials “effectively worthless”) and limits anonymity, while government attorney Sarah Welch asserted the Defense Department is in “full” good‑faith compliance and that the policy contains “safe harbors” for routine newsgathering.