In brief
Erik Slavin, the editor‑in‑chief of Stars & Stripes, was let go by the Department of Defense for being "insubordinate" after a CBS interview where he warned that censorship would cross a red line. The change also saw reporter Lara Korte and publisher Max Lederer fired. Stars & Stripes has long been an independent voice for U.S. troops, but recent events underline a growing conflict between the Pentagon and the media. The situation comes amid broader concerns over press freedom and the Trump era’s push for tighter control over coverage. An average of 1.4 million people read the paper daily, making the crackdown significant for U.S. forces worldwide.
Stars & Stripes editor steps down after warning about censorship
Erik Slavin, who has run the U.S. military newspaper Stars & Stripes for 21 years, was fired by the Department of Defense for "insubordination" following a CBS interview in which he said censorship would be a red line. He also told reporters that Pentagon officials were becoming “less and less inclined to speak on the record.”
Slavin was not given an official explanation and is not allowed to appeal the decision. His dismissal follows the firing of Middle East reporter Lara Korte and publisher Max Lederer, who had left the paper after announcing retirement and citing fundamental differences with Pentagon plans.
Stars & Stripes has historically been editorially independent despite partial Pentagon funding, thanks to congressional mandates and DoD rules. Speaking out about the crew’s mental health aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has logged a record‑setting 240+ days at sea, Slavin hinted the ship’s situation could be part of the issue.
These events echo past unrest—such as the Trump administration’s 2025 policy restricting journalists from doing an official report unless it was approved by the Pentagon, which major news outlets like CNN, the New York Times, and the BBC refused to comply with. A judge later forced the White House to restore AP access to presidential events after a related dispute.
The Pentagon has denied comments, but the situation has raised concerns for U.S. troops worldwide. An estimated 1.4 million people read Stars & Stripes daily online and on paper, so a crackdown on its journalistic independence could have far‑reaching implications for how military news is shared.
