Pentagon Silences Dissent: Stars and Stripes Journalists Targeted for Defending Press Freedom
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The Department of Defense has issued termination notices to Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, citing alleged insubordination after they spoke out against censorship in a CBS News interview.
On Friday, the Pentagon escalated its crackdown on independent journalism by delivering separation notices to Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and reporter Lara Korte. The three journalists, who have dedicated themselves to providing service members with unfiltered news, now face dismissal under the pretext of 'insubordination.' They have been given a mere five days to challenge this decision.
Slavin revealed that the so-called insubordination was nothing more than his principled stand against censorship during a July CBS Sunday Morning interview, where he declared that restricting news for service members would be a 'red line.' He explained, "According to the notice, I am being fired for stating in a CBS interview that censorship of news for service members would constitute a red line. The Pentagon's public affairs office has charged me with insubordination," reaffirming his commitment to Stars and Stripes’ editorial independence.
Korte, who courageously spoke alongside Slavin in the CBS segment, condemned the firings as a blow to both the institution and the fundamental right of service members to a free press. She emphasized, "I'm proud of the work my colleagues and I do at Stars and Stripes, especially the last six months covering the protracted conflict in Iran. Military families and service members have trusted us to share their experience with the world."
The Department of Defense, unwilling to face scrutiny, refused to comment when approached by CBS News. In an open letter, Capt. William Urban, recently installed as military deputy to the publisher, admitted he had received no response to his recommendations sent to Lederer on August 17, and outlined priorities that included editorial independence, digital growth, and operational modernization—values now under threat.
Lederer, who has led Stars and Stripes for 19 years, announced his retirement effective September 30, citing irreconcilable differences with DoD leadership. In a message to staff, he made clear that his vision for Stars and Stripes clashed fundamentally with the department’s increasingly authoritarian direction.
Stars and Stripes, a vital publication partially funded by taxpayers, reaches 1.4 million readers daily, including those in remote locations. Its proud tradition of editorial independence is now at risk as the Pentagon moves to stifle dissent and undermine the free press, even as readership has declined from its historic highs.