Pentagon issues separation notices to Stars and Stripes publisher, editor and reporter
The Department of Defense has served termination notices to Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, citing alleged insubordination linked to a CBS News interview.
The Pentagon delivered separation notices on Friday to Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and reporter Lara Korte. The notices give the three five days to appeal the dismissals and cite insubordination as the reason.
Slavin said the alleged insubordination stemmed from comments made in a July interview with CBS Sunday Morning, where he said censorship of news for service members would be a “red line.” He stated, "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," and affirmed his belief that Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent.
Korte, who also appeared in the CBS segment, described the firings as detrimental to the institution and to service members’ right to a free press. She added, "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."
A Defense Department spokesperson declined to comment when approached by CBS News. In an open letter published by Stars and Stripes, Capt. William Urban, recently appointed as military deputy to the publisher, said he had not received a response to a memo of recommendations sent to Lederer on Aug. 17 and outlined priorities for editorial independence, digital growth and operational modernization.
Lederer, who has led the outlet for 19 years, announced his retirement effective Sept. 30, noting fundamental differences with Department of Defense leadership. He wrote to staff that his philosophy of leadership and his view of Stars and Stripes’ mission differ from the department’s direction.
Stars and Stripes, a newspaper partially funded by taxpayers, reaches an average of 1.4 million readers daily, with print editions serving service members in remote locations. The outlet has a long history of editorial independence, though its readership has declined since its peak periods.