The US Department of War on Friday fired the publisher, editor-in-chief, and a Middle East correspondent of Stars and Stripes, a government-funded news publication that reports on the US military, the New York Times reported, citing sources.
Earlier reporting noted: The dismissals were announced Friday and also affected Max Lederer, the newspaper’s publisher, who had recently announced plans to retire, according to The Associated Press report . The purge marks the latest effort by the Defence Department to curb the government-funded military newspaper’s statutory editorial independence amid the simmering war with Iran. Slavin had publicly asserted that turning the outlet into a public relations mouthpiece would cross a line, standing by the requirement for independent reporting. “I stand by the principle that Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent, as required by law and by the department’s own policies. The announcement comes amid growing tensions between Stars and Stripes leadership and the Pentagon over the outlet’s independence and editorial direction.
Slavin said insubordination following a July CBS News interview regarding editorial interference was cited a reason for his termination in the notice. “According to the notice, I am being fired for stating in a CBS interview that censorship of news for service members would constitute a red line,” Slavin said, according to NYT report. Stars and Stripes editor, reporter fired for ‘insubordination’ – here’s what they said The Pentagon has dismissed Erik Slavin, editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, citing insubordination after the two publicly opposed potential interference in the military newspaper’s editorial independence. Earlier reporting noted: According to the AP, Slavin said he received a notice of separation after speaking publicly against the possibility of military censorship.
Earlier reporting noted: Who are Erik Slavin, Lara Korte? Editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and Middle East correspondent Lara Korte were all served termination notices on Friday, according to the NYT, adding that the Department of War declined to comment on the firings.
