[Defense Department] information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified

This is ambiguous, and can be applied to any and all information acquired through the Defense Department.

Officials indicated the move was needed because any unauthorized disclosure “poses a security risk that could damage the national security of the United States and place [Defense Department] personnel in jeopardy.

Isn’t this exactly what constitutes the need for information to be classified?

So ultimately, what is the purpose of letting journalists in at all? To give a false sense of transparency?