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Pentagon questions Stars and Stripes content, editor defends independence

From CBS News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Stars and Stripes, a newspaper for American military personnel, faces scrutiny from the Pentagon over its content, which officials deem 'woke distractions.'
  • The newspaper, which has maintained editorial independence since its revival in World War I, covers stories relevant to service members and their families, including tactics and food insecurity.
  • Editor-in-chief Erik Slavin asserts the publication's mission is to provide independent news for the military community, while a reporter defends covering cultural events for overseas personnel.

Stars and Stripes, a newspaper serving the American military, finds itself at the center of a debate over its editorial direction. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell recently stated the publication would be "modernized" and its content "refocused away from woke distractions that syphon morale." Editor-in-chief Erik Slavin expressed confusion over the term "woke distractions," as the Pentagon offered no further explanation.

We want to go with something that we know will directly interest our readers right away.

— Erik SlavinErik Slavin, editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, explaining the newspaper's content choices.

The newspaper, a Department of Defense entity with a history dating back to the Civil War and revived by General John "Black Jack" Pershing in World War I, has long prided itself on editorial independence. Pershing envisioned the paper as a voice for American troops, stating, "It is your paper." It has been continuously published since World War II, celebrated for representing "the free thought and free expression of a free people."

We're trying to provide independent news for the military community.

— Erik SlavinErik Slavin, editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, on the publication's mission.

Despite the Pentagon's criticism, Stars and Stripes continues to cover a range of topics directly relevant to its readership. Recent articles have focused on new drone tactics and the issue of food insecurity among service members and their families. Reporter Lara Korte defended her story on European concerts by rapper Bad Bunny, explaining that overseas personnel seek entertainment and travel information. Korte emphasized her role is to "cover the military community," not the Pentagon or any administration.

The paper, written by the men in the service, should speak the thoughts of the New American Army and American people from whom the Army has been drawn. It is your paper. Good luck to it.

— General John "Black Jack" PershingGeneral Pershing's message to readers when reviving Stars and Stripes in World War I.

An average of 1.4 million people access Stars and Stripes daily, primarily online, though a print version still circulates to remote locations with unreliable internet. The publication's commitment to independent reporting for the military community appears to be a point of contention with some Pentagon officials, who view certain content as a distraction.

We are bringing Stars & Stripes into the 21st century. We will modernize its operations, refocus its content away from woke distractions that syphon morale…

— Sean ParnellPentagon spokesman Sean Parnell on X regarding the future of Stars and Stripes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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