Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief Amid Censorship Concerns
The editor-in-chief of the U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes, Erik Slavin, announced he was fired for insubordination. According to Slavin, his termination stemmed from a CBS interview where he stated that hypothetical censorship of news for service members would constitute a 'personal red line.' A source familiar with the matter also indicated that the Pentagon sent notices to other leadership figures at the newspaper, including long-time publisher Max Lederer, who was set to retire but was also removed. Lara Korte, a Middle East correspondent for the paper, also reported being fired for stating that she works for Stars and Stripes, not the Pentagon. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment. Stars and Stripes, while funded by the Defense Department, has historically maintained editorial independence, providing news to U.S. troops globally since World War Two. This development follows the recent appointment of a military deputy to the publisher for the newspaper. 
