An unprecedented crackdown on the rights of journalists covering the Pentagon represents a dark day for democracy and should serve as a wake-up call for complacent Australians who take press freedom on our shores as a given.

Almost all reporters based at the Pentagon packed their belongings and walked out of the building on Thursday after the Department of War cancelled their passes for refusing to sign up to new conditions that media outlets have described as censorious and “disturbing”.

Members of the Pentagon press corp carry their belongings out of the Pentagon after handing in their press credentials.Credit: AP

As the Herald’s Michael Koziol reports, the US Department of War wants pass holders to sign a new document that, among other things, stipulates they cannot solicit information that has not been explicitly authorised for release by the Pentagon,........

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