The level of control implemented here is identical to that presently covering all military bases.
Only where secret material is stored has the MSM had unfettered access.
A few trials would illustrate this point.
The part that I think was wrong was requiring the press to seek prior approval prior to printing stories even if all the information contained therein was non-classified.
We only found out about the DEI training, lowering of standards for females, etc. etc. etc., because they were reported on. I don't think a policy that requires prior approval before reporting non-classified information is a good one because it means that other information like that can be more easily covered up in the future..
That being said...exactly what is going to be the actual impact of this policy? Not the intent of the policy -- about which I could not care less -- but the actual effect of the new policy?
The only reason this policy is seen as necessary is because Hegseth was unable to stop leaks from the Pentagon side of things. So because he can't stop the leaks from Pentagon employees, he's trying to stop the press from printing those leaks. Except as soon as all the press refuse to sign the agreement, that goal fails because the leaks will keep happening, and the press can just keep printing them.
So I'm not sure what is being accomplished.