Stars and Stripes publisher, editor and reporter sue Pentagon to challenge their firings

Three staff members from Stars and Stripes, a military news outlet, have filed a federal lawsuit against the Pentagon, alleging that their firings violate their First Amendment rights. Publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte claim they were punished for publishing a report on deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and speaking out against potential censorship by the U.S. military.

The Pentagon, which partially funds the outlet, dismissed them last week. Lederer was fired shortly after announcing his retirement, and Slavin was dismissed for insubordination following a CBS News interview. The lawsuit, represented by various legal organizations, alleges that the Pentagon installed a new deputy publisher under Lederer without his knowledge.

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