Former Stars and Stripes editor says firing was a "real shock"
Summary
The Pentagon recently fired Erik Slavin, the editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, along with two other staff members, citing insubordination. Stars and Stripes is a military newspaper partly funded by U.S. taxpayers that has traditionally operated independently from the government.Key Facts
- Erik Slavin was fired shortly after speaking out about concerns over government censorship at Stars and Stripes.
- The Pentagon also terminated publisher Max Lederer and Middle East reporter Lara Korte.
- Stars and Stripes has a $29 million annual budget, about half of which comes from U.S. taxpayers.
- The paper has operated independently from the government since the Civil War.
- Stars and Stripes has an average daily readership of 1.4 million, including service members overseas.
- The Defense Department wants to modernize the paper and focus content away from topics it views as harming morale.
- The Pentagon attempted to stop Stars and Stripes from publishing syndicated news articles from other outlets.
- Navy Capt. William Urban was named as military deputy to the publisher, promising to maintain editorial independence.
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