Pentagon dismisses Stars and Stripes leadership after editor, reporter oppose military interference

The Pentagon terminated the editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes and a senior reporter for insubordination after they publicly opposed any military interference in the news outlet's editorial independence. This action is part of a pattern of increasing hostility from the administration toward the press. Stars and Stripes' publisher, who announced his retirement, was also dismissed.

Erik Slavin, the editor-in-chief, was fired for stating in a CBS interview that censorship of service members' news would be a red line. Publisher Max Lederer and Middle East reporter Lara Korte were also dismissed after participating in the same interview where they voiced similar concerns. Slavin reiterated his commitment to the newspaper's editorial independence, emphasizing its legal and policy requirements.

National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. criticized the firings as an "unprecedented attempt by the Pentagon to dictate coverage of the military." Neither Lederer nor Korte commented further. Publisher Lederer, who had been with Stars and Stripes for three decades, announced his retirement before the dismissals. The Pentagon's new deputy publisher, Navy Capt.

William Urban, has been installed without Lederer's knowledge, marking another move by the administration to assert editorial control over the military-funded newspaper.