Pentagon fires editor-in-chief of US military newspaper, reportedly for opposing censorship

The Pentagon has reportedly fired Erik Slavin, editor-in-chief of the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes, for insubordination after he stated in a CBS interview that censorship would be a "personal red line." Max Lederer, the long-time publisher, and Lara Korte, a Middle East correspondent, were also reportedly removed. Korte stated her dismissal was for telling CBS News she works for Stars and Stripes, not the Pentagon. The newspaper, which has published continuously since World War Two, receives Defense Department funding but has historically maintained editorial independence. These dismissals follow the recent appointment of a military deputy to the publisher and come amidst broader concerns from press freedom advocates regarding limited journalist access to the Pentagon under the Trump administration.