US defense chief Gates tightens military's media rules
13:44, 3 July 2010
WASHINGTON. July 3. KAZINFORM US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered a tightening of the rules covering the US military's dealings with the media; Kazinform refers to BBC News.
The move comes in the wake of the sacking of the US commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, over a Rolling Stone magazine article.
Gen McChrystal and his aides had mocked and criticised top US officials.
In a memo to key Pentagon civilian and military officials, Mr Gates criticised the recent "lax" approach.
US officials said the new order was planned well before the McChrystal incident and was not linked to it. They also said it is was not meant to be a gag on the Pentagon; Kazinform cites BBC. See www.news.bbc.co.uk for full version.