The Pentagon has removed senior leadership at Stars and Stripes, the independent U.S. military newspaper, including Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin and Publisher Max Lederer. The dismissals were announced as part of a restructuring initiative, with Lederer—who had planned to retire in September—removed from his post and Slavin receiving a notice alleging insubordination.
Lara Korte, a Middle East correspondent for the publication, also confirmed her dismissal in a social media post. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell shared an open letter from a newly appointed military deputy outlining a revised vision for the newspaper, stating that Stars and Stripes must adapt to better serve U.S. Armed Forces personnel in a shifting media landscape.
Stars and Stripes, which has published continuously since World War II and serves military personnel worldwide, has historically operated with editorial independence despite receiving Defense Department funding. The changes follow broader criticism from press freedom groups regarding restrictions on journalists' access to the Pentagon under the current administration, which critics argue limits scrutiny of military operations.
Slavin told CBS News that any attempt to censor reporting aimed at military personnel would cross a personal red line. Lederer, in an email announcing his retirement, indicated that the Pentagon’s new direction for the newspaper diverged from his own vision. Korte emphasized in her statement that her employment was with Stars and Stripes, not the Pentagon.
