Former Stars and Stripes editor calls firing a 'real shock,' questions paper's independence

Erik Slavin, the recently ousted editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, described his firing by the Pentagon as a "real shock" and a "very unexpected" development. The Defense Department terminated Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte last week, citing insubordination.

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time will tell

These dismissals have raised significant questions regarding the editorial independence of the newspaper, which serves U.S. service members and is partially funded by American taxpayers. Historically, Stars and Stripes has operated autonomously, free from direct government editorial control.

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real shock

Slavin, who spent over two decades with the publication before his promotion to editor-in-chief last fall, believes "time will tell" if the paper can maintain its independence. He suggested that his termination stemmed from comments made during a previous "CBS Sunday Morning" report. In that interview, Slavin had hypothetically stated that a military demand not to publish an "accurate story" would constitute a "red line," which he equated to censorship and believed aligned with Department of Defense regulations.

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very unexpected

Stars and Stripes, first published during the Civil War, prides itself on its editorial freedom. While readership has declined from its wartime peaks, the paper still reaches an average of 1.4 million people daily, including service members in remote locations. Slavin emphasized the paper's mission to provide "the straight truth" to service members, who he noted hold the publication accountable for accuracy. He added that the paper focuses on what is "new, different, interesting and relevant to service members," rather than adhering to positive or negative framing.

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hypothetical response, in my personal opinion, as to what would be my red line. And I described censorship, which I believe to be in line with Department of Defense regulations and the law itself.