US military newspaper editor voices censorship fears after being fired

Erik Slavin, a 21-year veteran editor at the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes, believes he was fired for expressing concerns about potential censorship. He stated in an interview that "in a hypothetical situation, censorship would be a red line." The newspaper's publisher, Max Lederer, was also fired, having announced his retirement due to differing views on the paper's mission from the Pentagon. Slavin has not received an official explanation for his dismissal and cannot appeal. He noted the firing occurs amid a period where the Pentagon has not held press conferences since May and journalists have resisted interference with their reporting. The National Press Club president called Slavin's firing a "brazen attempt by the Pentagon to dictate coverage."

The Pentagon has fired Erik Slavin, editor-in-chief of the Stars and Stripes newspaper, and reporter Lara Korte. Slavin suggested his termination was retaliation for speaking out about the newspaper's editorial independence, citing a CBS interview where he stated hypothetical censorship of news for service members would be a "red line." The firings occur during President Trump's second term, a period marked by increased restrictions on journalists and lawsuits against media outlets. The Stars and Stripes had recently reported on deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which the Trump administration dismissed. These actions follow earlier changes at the newspaper, including the firing of its ombudsman and the appointment of a Pentagon spokesperson as deputy publisher without the publisher's prior knowledge.

The Pentagon has fired Erik Slavin, the editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, along with the newspaper's publisher, Max Lederer, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte. Slavin stated he was dismissed for insubordination after an interview where he expressed opposition to potential military censorship of news for service members, asserting that such actions would be a "red line." He maintains that Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent. Lederer had previously announced his retirement, citing fundamental differences in leadership philosophy with the Department of Defense. These dismissals follow recent Pentagon actions to exert editorial control over the publication and the installation of a new military deputy publisher without Lederer's prior knowledge.

Max Lederer, the publisher of Stars and Stripes for 19 years, may be fired before his scheduled retirement next month, according to anonymous sources cited by CBS News. This potential dismissal follows the military news outlet's reporting on deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Lederer had previously cited fundamental differences in leadership philosophy with the Department of Defense as his reason for retiring. The article notes that Stars and Stripes has faced increasing tension with the Pentagon, particularly regarding editorial independence and content focus, with a Pentagon spokesperson indicating a desire to "modernize its operations" and refocus content away from "woke distractions."

Max D. Lederer Jr., the publisher of Stars and Stripes, has announced his resignation, citing fundamental differences in leadership philosophy and the mission of the publication with the Department of Defense. His departure follows reports by Stars and Stripes and other military outlets detailing a mental health crisis among sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln due to extended deployment and poor conditions. The Pentagon, under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, had previously accused Stars and Stripes of promoting "woke distractions." Lederer, who served as publisher for 19 years, will retire on September 30. Stars and Stripes, a Department of Defense-funded newspaper, has historically sought editorial independence. During Trump's presidency, the Pentagon attempted to defund the publication, but Trump intervened, pledging to maintain its funding.

Max D. Lederer Jr., the longtime publisher of the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes, has resigned due to disagreements with the Department of Defense's leadership. His retirement comes amid the Trump administration's push for greater editorial control over the publication. Lederer stated his leadership philosophy and understanding of the newspaper's mission differed from the Defense Department's direction. This follows Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's accusations of the paper promoting "woke distractions" and the administration's criticism of its reporting on issues like declining morale on the USS Abraham Lincoln. The Pentagon had previously sought to eliminate funding for the newspaper and recently fired its ombudsman, who was tasked with protecting its editorial independence.

Max D. Lederer Jr., the longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes, announced his retirement effective at the end of September, citing fundamental differences with the Department of Defense's direction for the military newspaper. This decision follows the Pentagon's recent firing of the newspaper's ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith, whose role was to protect editorial independence. The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has stated its intention to refocus Stars and Stripes on its "original mission" of reporting for warfighters and eliminate "woke distractions." Lederer expressed concerns about the Pentagon's modernization efforts, particularly the shift to digital platforms, fearing it would limit accessibility for troops. The publisher's retirement occurs amid broader efforts by the Pentagon to exert control over media coverage.