Former Stars and Stripes editor says firing was a "real shock"
Days after his sudden firing by the Pentagon, Erik Slavin, the former editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, told CBS News that "time will tell" whether the military newspaper will remain editorially independent.
Former Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin expressed shock and surprise over his sudden termination by the Pentagon. Slavin, who had worked at the military newspaper for nearly two decades, was fired following his appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, where he criticized the Trump administration's efforts to overhaul the paper.
The Defense Department accused Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte of insubordination, citing his refusal to publish a story without approval. Slavin emphasized that the paper had always maintained editorial independence from the government agency it covered. The firing raised concerns about Stars and Stripes' future, a publication that relies partially on taxpayer funding and prides itself on its impartial reporting.
Slavin hopes the newspaper can remain independent, but acknowledged that time would tell. The Pentagon has recently sought to modernize Stars and Stripes, focusing on content that appeals to a new generation of service members and adapting to changing times.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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