Once again, thousands of families are upending their lives, with America’s sons and daughters closer to harm’s way as the Biden administration responds to a potential conflict in Europe.
We believe the American public, including those military families, have a right to know how and what their troops are doing and how the Pentagon is spending their tax dollars. Preventing journalists from speaking with these troops flouts the freedom of the press and falls short of President Biden’s promise of increased transparency. As a result, we call on the Pentagon and White House to immediately begin the process of allowing journalists to have access to troops arriving in Europe in response to Russian troop movements near Ukraine. This includes the standard practices of speaking directly with troops and embedding with units.
Despite numerous requests from media organizations, no journalist has yet been granted opportunities for traditional reporting with these troops in Europe so that we can bring their stories home. During his Monday Pentagon press briefing, spokesman John Kirby said the buck stops with him when it comes to allowing reporters access to these troops. Journalists, who collectively reach tens of millions of readers and viewers, join the Pentagon Press Association and Military Reporters and Editors Association in urging the Pentagon to offer improved access and transparency soon.
Sincerely,
- Howard Altman, Senior Managing Editor, Military Times
- Catalina Camia, Editor in Chief, CQ and Roll Call
- Helene Cooper, John Ismay, Eric Schmitt, New York Times
- Caitlin Doornbos, Pentagon Reporter, Robert H Reid, Senior Managing Editor, Stars and Stripes
- Brian Everstine, Pentagon Editor, Aviation Week
- Michael Fabey, Americas naval reporter, Daniel Wasserbly, Head of Americas news, Janes
- Zachary Fryer-Biggs, Managing Editor, Military.com
- W.J. Hennigan, National Security Correspondent Washington Bureau, TIME
- Wafaa Jibai, Pentagon’s correspondent, Alhurra
- James Gordon Meek, National Security Investigative Reporter, ABC News
- Russell Midori. President, Military Veterans in Journalism
- Sean D. Naylor, author and freelance national security reporter
- The National Press Club
- Paul Szoldra, Editor in Chief, Task & Purpose
