The Pentagon is telling beat reporters to sign restrictive new rules by today or surrender their press passes by tomorrow.

Virtually every news outlet is rejecting the ultimatum and saying they will not sign.

The Pentagon Press Association, a body that represents the beat reporters, says the new policy championed by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth "gags Pentagon employees and threatens retaliation against reporters who seek out information that has not been pre-approved for release".

In a statement on Monday, the association said that "potential expulsion from the Pentagon should be a concern to all".

Last month, Hegseth's press office outlined new rules requiring beat reporters to sign a pledge not to obtain or use unauthorised material, even if the information is unclassified.

Any jo

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