Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” Think of the consequences – the loss of our very freedom. It’s why one can easily find a plethora of quotes that associate the bedrock of our democracy with a free, unfettered press.
Yet here we are – again. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I’ve addressed this subject, and I fear that it may not be the last – unless we refuse to accept what’s being imposed upon us by the Trump Administration.
And that’s exactly what happened at the Pentagon just a few days before the filing of this column. We fought back!
Last month, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s press office outlined new rules requiring Pentagon beat reporters to sign a pledge not to obtain or use unauthorized material, even if the information is unclassified. Any journalist who didn’t sign the pledge would be at risk of losing access to the Pentagon. Obviously, it’s a reporter’s job to question virtually everything and use every source legally available to find the answers, not only at the Pentagon but everywhere. So, in other words, he asked them not to do their jobs.
And as a fellow journalist, I’m very proud to say that it went over like the proverbial leadballoon.
On Wednesday, October 15th, at 4pm, approximately 50 journalists MADE news by standing up from their desks at the Pentagon in an act of ultimate defiance, leaving everything behind including their Pentagon press credentials, and exited the building. These people were of all ages and genders, some long-time professionals, others early in their careers. Each had something to lose by this bold move. But it had to be done. Any journalist worth his credentials knows that to lose one’s integrity is to lose everything. And they weren’t having it.
Virtually every major news outlet participated in the protest. One expected the likes of CNN, MSNBC and the networks to lead the way, but even FOX, Hegseth’s former employer, and conservative Newsmax joined in. The only outlet to not participate was the ultra-conservative OAN. In fact, it has been reported that of the approximately 100 press people who work at the Pentagon, only 15 signed the pledge.
Now, there are some who may see this as a flawed action, saying, “Well if there’s no one there to report on them, hasn’t Hegseth really won?” In response to questions like that, the Pentagon Press Association issued the following statement:
“The Pentagon Press Association’s members are still committed to reporting on the U.S. military. But make no mistake, today, Oct. 15, 2025, is a dark day for press freedom that raises concerns about a weakening U.S. commitment to transparency in governance, to public accountability at the Pentagon and to free speech for all.”
But through the darkness, we saw a ray of light and that light came in the form of resistance to tyranny. It’s happened before and we pray that it will continue as long as is necessary. Reporters are used to obstacles, both physical and psychological. It’s our job to overcome and resist by speaking truth to power. We must act as a voice to the voiceless. Like Horatius at the bridge, the press must not yield to the constant attempts by this Administration to wear away at our essential freedoms. Because without a free press, we are in danger of losing EVERYTHING.
“Freedom of conscience, of education, of speech, of assembly are among the very fundamentals of democracy and all of them would be nullified should freedom of the press ever be successfully challenged.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Frank LoBuono is a Nyack Resident, photographer, blogger and retired CBS News journalist.
Photo by Frank LoBuono