In an era where the media's credibility is often questioned, the words of U.S. Navy Admiral William "Bull" Halsey during World War 2 resonate profoundly.
When asked by an aide what he should disclose to the press about an imminent operation, Halsey responded, "Tell them nothing. When it's over, tell them who won." This sentiment, which emphasizes the importance of security and discretion in military communications, is as relevant today as it was during the tumultuous times of the Second World War.
According to RedState, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has taken a leaf out of Halsey's book, implementing stringent measures to ensure the media's access to the Pentagon is carefully controlled. Hegseth's move to restrict media access, which includes requiring badges and escorts for reporters, is a significant step towards enhancing the security of the nation's defense headquarters.
In a recent announcement, Hegseth stated, "We're not allowing everybody to roam around the building. You know, that was the policy before. If you were a Pentagon reporter, you could just walk around the building."
He continued, "No badge, no escort, no nothing. Walk into offices, talk to anybody, who knows where there's classified information. We're making the rules more like you might say the White House."
This move is seen as a crackdown on potential leaks and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Hegseth's decision has been met with resistance from the Pentagon press corps, but the Secretary of War remains undeterred.
"The American people see things like that as absolute common sense," he asserted, emphasizing the importance of these measures in safeguarding national security.
The Pentagon, like any other government institution, has had its share of leaks in the past. Hegseth's decision to tighten security protocols is a proactive measure aimed at preventing such incidents in the future. The suggestion to limit media access to a designated briefing room, akin to the White House's setup, is a testament to the need for a balance between transparency and security.
In a conversation with Fox News' Peter Doocy, Secretary Hegseth elaborated on the new rules. "We're setting clear rules at the Pentagon. We're not playing games," he stated. He further explained that reporters would need a badge and an escort to move around the building, a practice that is already in place at the White House.
Doocy responded, "Typically, not without getting a Secret Service up in my grill," to which Hegseth replied, "Correct. So, we're just normalizing it."
He added, "Yes, you can be in the press area. Briefing room. But if you want to move around the building, you're going to have a badge, it's going to be clear, you're going to be escorted, when you do so, we're going to have the expectation that you're not soliciting classified or sensitive information."
Hegseth's approach aligns with the conservative perspective that values limited government, individual freedom, and national security. His decision to tighten media access to the Pentagon is a testament to the importance of maintaining the integrity of military operations and protecting sensitive information.
As Hegseth rightly puts it, "The Pentagon press corps can squeal all they want. We're taking these things seriously. They can report. They just need to make sure they're following the rules."
In the spirit of Admiral Halsey's words, the media's role in military affairs should be carefully managed. The need for transparency must be balanced with the necessity of security. After all, when it comes to ongoing operations, perhaps the most crucial information the media needs is simply who emerged victorious.
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