Pentagon’s Secret Journalist Blacklist Raises Press-Freedom Concerns

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operates a confidential directory of reporters it has “blacklisted,” according to a CENTCOM public-affairs official. The list is used to direct staff to disregard certain journalists who press the command for information, especially about U.S. operations in Iran and civilian casualties. When asked which reporters are on the list, the official declined to disclose names, stating the list is not publicized.

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The revelation follows a pattern of increasingly restrictive policies under Pentagon press secretary Pete Hegseth. Earlier directives barred credentialed reporters from many Pentagon facilities without escorts and required journalists to sign pledges limiting the gathering of unclassified information. A federal judge struck that pledge policy as unconstitutional in early 2026, prompting the Pentagon to close a long-standing pressroom and introduce additional controls such as polygraph testing for credential holders. Similar intimidation tactics have been reported across other combatant commands, with senior officials indicating that the blacklist practice extends beyond CENTCOM.

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CENTCOM’s press office responded by email that the command “does not have a ‘blacklist.’” A senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously, said Hegseth’s office has a standing order to refuse engagement with the reporter who raised the issue and would deny any blacklist if challenged. The same official characterized the practice as unrelated to security concerns.

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• “You’ll be put on a list of people to disregard,” — Richard Allee, an executive assistant with CENTCOM public affairs

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• “Threatening journalists with placement on a blacklist in retaliation for reporting the government doesn’t like is as unconstitutional as it gets,” — Seth Stern, the director of advocacy for Freedom of the Press Foundation

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• “None of it has anything to do with security, all of it has everything to do with censorship and intimidation,” — Seth Stern, the director of advocacy for Freedom of the Press Foundation

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These disclosures highlight a continuing clash between the Pentagon’s information-control measures and advocates for a free press.

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