Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief and president over reporting

The Pentagon has fired the editor-in-chief and president of Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military's independent newspaper, following its reporting on the challenging conditions faced by sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Erik Slavin, the editor-in-chief, and Max Lederer, the president, were dismissed for alleged "disobedience."

The controversy erupted after Stars and Stripes published an investigative report detailing the hardships experienced by crew members during an extended deployment in the Middle East. The report highlighted issues such as shortages of supplies and the severe physical and mental toll on the sailors. This reporting prompted significant scrutiny of the U.S. military's operations in the region.

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I work for Stars and Stripes, not the Pentagon, any government or policymaker.

Slavin confirmed his dismissal, stating that the Pentagon cited his refusal to retract accurate reporting and publish Pentagon-provided text as the reason. Lederer, who was nearing retirement, and reporter Lara Korte were also dismissed. Korte emphasized her loyalty to the newspaper's mission, not to government officials or policies.

This incident has raised serious concerns about press freedom within the U.S. military. Stars and Stripes, with over 160 years of history, has historically maintained editorial independence, partly funded by the Department of Defense. Critics view the firings as an unprecedented threat to the publication's autonomy and a sign of increasing government control over military media.

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Asking us to pull accurate reporting and publish Pentagon-written copy is my red line.