America’s leading news outlets have formally rejected a new defense department policy that would force them to report only information that has been released officially.

In what has been described by the Pentagon Press Association as an “attempt to stifle the free press”, reporters were given until 5pm on Tuesday to agree not to seek out information the department hasn’t officially authorised for release, or they risk losing access to Pentagon facilities.

The policy by Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of war, would also see journalists’ access to certain areas of the department restricted.

On Monday, the Washington Post, the New York Times, CNN, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Reuters and other outlets said they would not sign the agreement.

Even traditionally Maga-friendly outlets, including the Washington Times and Newsmax, also said they would not sign.