National Press Club Condemns Pentagon Firing of Stars and Stripes Editor

The National Press Club has condemned the Pentagon's firing of Erik Slavin, editor of the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes, accusing the Defense Department of interfering with the publication's editorial independence.

Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin was fired by the Pentagon after publicly defending the military newspaper's editorial independence. [Photo: Cannon Hill Partners]

National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. said the firing was “another brazen attempt by the Pentagon to dictate coverage of the military” and called for Slavin to be reinstated. 

The Pentagon dismissed Slavin after he publicly defended the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes.

Slavin had said in a CBS interview that the newspaper should remain independent and that censorship of news intended for service members would cross a red line. 

The Pentagon also dismissed Middle East reporter Lara Korte. Longtime publisher Max Lederer had announced his retirement shortly before the dismissals, citing fundamental disagreements with the direction of Defense Department leadership. 

Schoeff said firing an editor after he defended his newsroom's editorial independence was deeply troubling and argued that journalists must be able to report without fear of retaliation from the government officials they cover. 

The latest dispute follows months of tension between Stars and Stripes and Pentagon leadership over the newspaper's mission and editorial policies.

In March, the Pentagon issued a memo seeking to overhaul the publication, including restrictions on content and greater Defense Department oversight. The changes prompted concerns from journalists and press-freedom advocates that the newspaper's independence could be weakened. 

The Pentagon also dismissed the newspaper's ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith, whose role was intended to help protect editorial independence and address concerns about the publication's coverage. 

Stars and Stripes has served US military personnel for more than a century, providing news to service members stationed around the world.

The dispute has renewed concerns over how a publication funded in part by the Defense Department can maintain editorial independence while remaining accountable to its military audience.