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.
At 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,
Paul Szoldra, Editor in Chief | Task & Purpose
Howard Altman, Senior Managing Editor | Military Times
Catalina Camia, Editor in Chief | CQ and Roll Call
Helene Cooper, John Ismay, Eric Schmitt | The New York Times
Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor, Stars and Stripes
Caitlin Doornbos, Pentagon Reporter | Stars and Stripes
Brian Everstine, Pentagon Editor | Aviation Week
Michael Fabey, Daniel Wasserbly | Janes
Zachary Fryer-Biggs, Managing Editor, Military.com
Wafaa Jibai, Pentagon correspondent | Alhurra
James Gordon Meek, National Security Investigative Reporter, ABC News
Russell Midori, President of Military Veterans in Journalism
Sean D. Naylor, Author and freelance national security reporter
The National Press Club