Latest news with #PFAC
Epoch Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Defense Secretary Imposes New Restrictions on Press Access to Pentagon
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the implementation of new restrictions on press access within the Pentagon to better protect sensitive information, the Department of Defense (DOD) said in a May 23 The Defense Department's highest priority is national security, including the protection of classified national intelligence information (CNSI) and sensitive, unclassified information such as those deemed to be critical for operations security (OPSEC), the memo stated. 'While the Department remains committed to transparency, the Department is equally obligated to protect CNSI and sensitive information—the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. Service members in danger.' As such, Hegseth directed that new control measures be put in place for press members who are issued a Pentagon Facilities Alternate Credential (PFAC) card, which provides access to the Pentagon. These rules are 'effective immediately.' Press members are now barred from entry or access to the office spaces of the secretary of defense and the joint staff without first securing official approval, as well as escort personnel. Access to the Pentagon Athletic Center is also prohibited. Unauthorized, unescorted access in the Pentagon will only be available in certain areas. Related Stories 5/20/2025 5/20/2025 If a press member requires access to other areas or offices within the Pentagon to conduct in-person interviews or other engagement, they must be formally escorted to and from these locations by DOD personnel from the respective offices or departments. Members of the press tasked with covering the Pentagon shall be required to complete an updated briefing over the coming weeks that lays out their responsibilities regarding protecting classified national intelligence information and sensitive details. A new style of PFAC with a clearer 'PRESS' identifier on the badge shall be issued for the press. Additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny on PFAC issuance are also expected. If any member of the press fails to comply with the new control measures, it will result in 'further restrictions and possibly revocation of press credentials,' said the memo. The Pentagon Press Association, a membership organization representing the interests of the press corps covering the U.S. military, said the new rules appeared to be a 'direct attack on the freedom of the press.' 'The decision is purportedly based on concerns about operational security. But the Pentagon Press Corps has had access to non-secured, unclassified spaces in the Pentagon for decades, under Republican and Democratic administrations, including in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, without any concern about OPSEC from DOD leadership,' the statement said. In a May 24 'Up until now, the press could wander all around the Pentagon with no oversight,' he said. The new requirements are 'pragmatic changes to protect operational security & ultimately brings the Pentagon in line with other government buildings.' The White House had 'The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America,' White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich said in a Protecting Government Information The new restrictions at the Pentagon are one of the latest measures implemented by the Trump administration to boost the security of government secrets and prevent leaks. On April 25, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a 'Safeguarding classified, privileged, and other sensitive information is essential to effective governance and law enforcement,' the memo said. 'Federal government employees intentionally leaking sensitive information to the media undermines the ability of the Department of Justice to uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and keep America safe. This conduct is illegal and wrong, and it must stop.' As such, Bondi rescinded previous Attorney General Merrick Garland's policies that prohibited the DOJ from 'seeking records and compelling testimony from members of the news media in order to identify and punish the source of improper leaks.' Under the new policy, news media 'must answer subpoenas' issued by the DOJ. The agency may also use court orders and search warrants to compel members of the news media to testify or produce information. Meanwhile, a Defense Department official Reuters contributed to the report.
Zawya
27-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Emirates Health Services holds sixth session of the Patient and Family Advisory Council
UAE – Dubai: The Emirates Health Services (EHS) held the sixth session of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) virtually. The meeting, attended by patient and family representatives and strategic partners, reviewed the Council's achievements in 2024 and discussed the work plan for the current year. IRMIS Initiative: Enhancing Patient and Family Participation in Treatment Process The session highlighted the IRMIS initiative, which aims to educate patients about their rights and promote their active participation in the treatment process. This reflects the commitment of Emirates Health Services to delivering equitable healthcare that respects patients' personal values and beliefs. These include the patients' rights to participate in their healthcare plan, receive fair care that ensures privacy, be informed about their health condition and available treatment options, and access the necessary medical guidance and advice. In line with this commitment, EHS is dedicated to promoting the Patient Rights Charte across all its healthcare facilities to enhance awareness, ensure a superior healthcare experience, and strengthen patient confidence in the healthcare system. This contributes to improving the quality of medical services and advancing the healthcare sector. Designing Services in Partnership with the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) As part of its efforts to enhance patient participation in improving healthcare quality, the PFAC continues to play an active role in evaluating and designing new services that align with patient needs and expectations. In its most recent meeting, the Council discussed its 2025 business plan, which includes the introduction of a range of new services. The Council members will participate in evaluating and designing these services through field visits to observe the patient journey, analyse their needs and preferences, and ensure the provision of integrated services that meet their expectations. The Council also addressed community engagement activities, emphasising the importance of attending customer councils in healthcare facilities and neighborhoods. This allows direct interaction with the community, enabling the Council to gather feedback, understand public concerns, and develop services based on actual needs. This approach aligns with efforts to foster a culture of patient-centered care and strengthen the active role of patients in shaping the future of healthcare services. It aims to ensure an exceptional experience that meets the highest standards of quality and excellence. Recommendations from Patient and Family Representatives At the conclusion of the session, patient and family representatives proposed several recommendations aimed at enhancing the patient experience and improving the quality of healthcare. These included strengthening communication channels between patients and healthcare facilities to ensure seamless access to feedback and inquiries and expanding educational programmes on patients' rights and responsibilities to enhance awareness of available services. The recommendations also included developing mechanisms to measure patient engagement in the treatment process and conducting periodic surveys to assess patient opinions and improve service quality. They also proposed enhancing the use of smart technology to facilitate direct communication between healthcare providers and patients, thereby streamlining procedures and improving medical service delivery.
