"You Look Worse Than in Real Life"...Pentagon Bans Journalists During War

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, is answering reporters' questions on the 5th (local time) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, USA. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Journalists Restricted from Coverage Due to Image Management of Public Officials...An Unprecedented Situation

The United States Department of Defense is facing controversy after reportedly barring photojournalists from a briefing site simply because Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was dissatisfied with certain photos of himself. Media organizations are pushing back, arguing that restricting journalists for the sake of managing the image of a public official infringes on press freedom.

On March 11 (local time), The Washington Post (WP) reported that the Department of Defense recently restricted access for photojournalists during a briefing related to a military conflict. According to sources who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation, the decision was influenced by Secretary Hegseth’s aides, who were displeased with photos of him taken during the briefing.

Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense, is giving a speech at a press briefing held at the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. on the 2nd (local time). Photo by AP News Agency

Photo from Press Briefing Announcing Khamenei's Death Becomes Issue: "Appeared Unfavorable"

The controversial briefing took place at the Pentagon on the 2nd. It was the first such session after the United States and Israel conducted a joint strike resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

At the time, multiple outlets-including AP, Reuters, and Getty Images-sent photojournalists to capture comments by the Secretary and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kane. After the photos were released, complaints reportedly arose within the Department of Defense that the Secretary appeared in an unfavorable light. Sources said this led aides to completely ban photojournalists from subsequent briefings held on the 4th and 10th.

Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense (left), is seen smiling with US President Donald Trump at the Shield of America Summit held in Miami, USA, on the 7th (local time). AP Yonhap News

U.S. Media Strongly Protests: "Completely Misjudged Priorities in a Time of War"

In response, Department of Defense spokesperson Kingsley Wilson stated, "To efficiently use the space in the briefing room, only one journalist per outlet is allowed entry, except for the press pool, and only if the outlet has a press credential." He also explained, "Photos from the briefing are taken by the Department of Defense and released immediately online, so both the media and the public are free to use them."

However, press organizations are strongly protesting. The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) issued a statement urging the Department of Defense to immediately reinstate access for photojournalists.

Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense, is smiling while attending an enlistment oath ceremony held in Washington, U.S., on the 6th of last month (local time). Photo by AP News Agency

NPPA President Alex Garcia criticized, "Excluding photojournalists from Department of Defense briefings simply because government officials are dissatisfied with how they look in published photos demonstrates a complete failure to prioritize appropriately during wartime." He added, "If the government only allows images that portray it favorably, a free press cannot function properly."