Join the Free Expression in Media & Journalism Committee of the Chicago Forum Student Board for this panelist discussion event.
Reporters hung up their badges, turned in their credentials, and forfeited access to the Pentagon after more than 30 news outlets refused to sign the new Pentagon reporting-access policy released in October by the Department of War. Many have deemed the new policy a flagrant violation of protected press freedoms, while some news outlets have agreed to the stipulations. Unwilling to operate under these new terms, journalist Andrew Thornebrooke resigned from his post at The Epoch Times, a news outlet that signed onto the policy.
Meanwhile, on October 15, the Pentagon Press Association released a statement regarding the newly imposed rules, describing the day of their enforcement as "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."
Join Thornebrooke, and award-winning Reuters journalist and Pentagon Press Association Board member Phil Stewart in conversation to discuss how news outlets should adapt to report on national security measures and the future of a free and fair press.
Date: Monday, December 1, 2025
Time: 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Location: Chicago Forum Classroom (5737 S University Ave, Chicago, IL 60637)
This event is open exclusively to the UChicago Community. A brief reception to follow.
This conversation is off-the-record. No recording is permitted at this event.
