The incident involving former President Joe Biden sparked immediate attention, specifically regarding the Disinformation Management Committee. This committee was designed by the Biden administration to combat information and views they deemed contrary. In a similar vein, Army Secretary Pete Hegseth is now addressing what he considers disinformation about the military, but his focus is primarily on the media.
Announced on April 27, 2022, the Disinformation Control Board was part of the Department of Homeland Security. Its aim was to tackle misinformation, but critics quickly likened it to the “Ministry of Truth” from George Orwell’s “1984,” which was a mechanism for disseminating government-endorsed propaganda.
Just three weeks later, the board’s leader resigned, leading to the board’s suspension, leaving it without significant impact since then. This seemed to be a learning moment for liberals, though it appears that Hegseth is taking a different approach.
The Army Secretary is now asking journalists to abide by new guidelines for military and Pentagon coverage, emphasizing a pledge for compliance. If journalists refuse to sign, they risk being barred from the Pentagon and its press conferences.
However, there’s one stipulation that many news organizations oppose. Although the Army claims to uphold “transparency” and “accountability,” it insists that any information, even unclassified, must be pre-approved by authorized officials prior to release—a policy some are calling problematic.
It does seem contradictory, or even Orwellian, to state that restricting journalists from sharing unapproved information equates to a commitment to transparency and accountability, perhaps undermining public trust instead.
Most major news outlets have opted not to sign the pledge, including those with pro-Trump leanings. The Independent recently reported that the only reporters still permitted at the Pentagon are largely freelancers, foreign media members, and those affiliated with MAGA-friendly news groups.
Almost all of these organizations regard the pledge as a violation of the First Amendment and the principles of press freedom, and they have a valid point.
Concerned about potential information leaks, Hegseth has, understandably, been on high alert. Over nine months, negative stories emerged, including issues related to sensitive information shared via unsecured platforms, leading him to want to curb such leaks.
Yet, historically, administrations tend to crack down on the leakers rather than the journalists who reveal the leaks. After all, leaks are sometimes essential for exposing government misconduct.
Every administration has faced issues they’d rather keep hidden—consider President Eisenhower’s denial of U.S. surveillance on Russia, which lasted until the U-2 incident. Or take Kennedy’s Bay of Pigs fiasco, Nixon’s Watergate scandal, and other contentious events that unfolded under various administrations. More recently, Biden faced backlash over the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan; without independent reporting, the extent of that debacle might never have surfaced.
There’s also the risk of forthcoming incidents, like the Navy’s approach to potential drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela. If a misjudgment leads to casualties, the military might prefer to suppress the news rather than face accountability.
What’s even more concerning is the possibility of Pentagon officials not just silencing unwelcome reports but also mandating favorable ones about the administration, implying that approval drives what gets mentioned.
These restrictions create a chilling effect. Trust in military spokespeople could erode, given that the media cannot effectively counter their claims. Just because the Department of Defense approves a story doesn’t guarantee accuracy; it merely certifies government-determined truth.
Biden’s Disinformation Control Board and Hegseth’s new requirements represent attempts at controlling information, both problematic in their own ways. While Biden’s initiative faced ridicule and was quickly dismantled, perhaps the same fate awaits Hegseth’s press restrictions.
Merrill Matthews is the co-author of On the Edge: America Faces the Entitlements Cliff.
