TVNZ Journalist Removed from Pentagon Meeting with Judith Collins

A TVNZ journalist was barred from attending a meeting at the Pentagon between New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The incident, reported by 1News, involved US correspondent Logan Church, who was “escorted out” of the Pentagon after his media accreditation was revoked unexpectedly.

Initially, TVNZ had received confirmation from both the Pentagon and the New Zealand Embassy that Church would be allowed to film the beginning of the meeting and the opening remarks. However, this permission was withdrawn, reportedly following a direct order from Hegseth’s office. In light of the situation, TVNZ has been approached for further comment regarding the incident.

Background on Pentagon Media Restrictions

This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the US administration and the media. Earlier in the week, several major US news networks chose not to adhere to a new pledge requiring journalists with Pentagon access to only report information formally released by the US Department of Defense. While the administration of Donald Trump described the new rule as “common sense,” many reporters opted to hand in their accreditation, leading to a notable walkout. Only one network, the conservative One America News Network, agreed to the pledge.

Trump recently expressed his support for Hegseth’s directive, stating, “I think he finds the press to be very disruptive in terms of world peace.” This sentiment reflects ongoing tensions between the media and the government regarding information dissemination and transparency.

Collins has been in Washington, D.C., since last week, focusing on strengthening defence relations amidst a complex global landscape. In a statement prior to her trip, she emphasized the importance of defence diplomacy, noting, “…that strengthens relationships and responds to new and emerging threats has never been more important.”

The revocation of Church’s accreditation raises questions about media freedom and transparency in government dealings, particularly in contexts involving international relations and defence. As the situation unfolds, the implications for journalists covering sensitive governmental meetings will likely be closely monitored.