World News
Pentagon dismisses top Stars and Stripes journalists and publisher over comments defending editorial independence
The editor-in-chief, a reporter, and the publisher were ousted for insubordination after publicly speaking against military editorial interference.
The short version
- The Defense Department fired Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin, Middle East reporter Lara Korte, and publisher Max Lederer for alleged insubordination.
- The dismissals followed a CBS interview where Slavin and Korte asserted the newspaper's editorial independence from Pentagon oversight.
- The personnel actions coincide with Pentagon efforts under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reshape the military newspaper's coverage and leadership structure.
- It remains uncertain whether newly appointed military deputy publisher Navy Capt. William Urban will formally assume the role of head publisher.
Key facts
- Erik Slavin and Lara Korte were issued notices of separation citing insubordination after participating in a CBS interview where they objected to Pentagon censorship and asserted their editorial independence.[PBS NewsHour]
- Max Lederer, who served as publisher since 2007 and had recently announced plans to retire in September, was also dismissed by the Pentagon.[PBS NewsHour]
- The Pentagon previously assigned active-duty Navy Capt. William Urban as military deputy publisher without prior notification to Lederer, prompting inquiries from three Democratic senators to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.[PBS NewsHour]
- National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. criticized the firings as an attempt by the Pentagon to dictate military news coverage and called for the decisions to be reversed.[PBS NewsHour]
- In April, the Pentagon dismissed the newspaper's ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith, whose responsibility was safeguarding the publication's editorial independence.[PBS NewsHour]
What remains uncertain
- It is not yet determined whether Navy Capt. William Urban will assume the full position of publisher following Lederer's dismissal.[PBS NewsHour]