Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor over censorship comments

Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor over censorship comments

Politics

On August 22, the U. S. Department of Defense terminated Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin after he said the newspaper could face military censorship, the editor said.

The action followed a notice issued on August 21 in which the Pentagon served separation letters to publisher Max Lederer, editor Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, accusing them of insubordination. The department later confirmed the dismissals of Slavin, Lederer and Korte, citing the same charge.

Actors

Pentagon Stars and Stripes Max Lederer Erik Slavin Lara Korte Capt. William Urban CBS Sunday Morning

Locations

Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, United States

Articles

August 22, 2026
1 total
Stars and Stripes editor says he was dismissed over comments on censorship
Stars and Stripes editor says he was dismissed over comments on censorship

BBC • 22 Aug 16:57

The editor-in-chief of the U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes was fired by the Department of Defense, citing insubordination after remarks about hypothetical censorship, prompting concerns about press freedom.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
August 21, 2026
5 total
Pentagon dismisses Stars & Stripes editor and reporter amid claims of retaliation
Pentagon dismisses Stars & Stripes editor and reporter amid claims of retaliation

Al Jazeera • 21 Aug 23:54

The Department of Defense terminated Stars & Stripes editor Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, citing internal decisions, while the editor alleges the firings were retaliation for defending the paper's editorial independence.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Left
Pentagon dismisses Stars and Stripes editor and reporter over alleged insubordination
Pentagon dismisses Stars and Stripes editor and reporter over alleged insubordination

PBS • 21 Aug 23:42

The Department of Defense terminated the editor-in-chief and a senior reporter of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes after they discussed editorial independence in a CBS interview, prompting criticism from media leaders.

Credibility 72% Manip. 46% Left
Pentagon dismisses senior Stars & Stripes staff amid concerns over editorial independence
Pentagon dismisses senior Stars & Stripes staff amid concerns over editorial independence

CNN • 21 Aug 20:38

The Department of Defense has terminated several top employees of the military newspaper Stars & Stripes, prompting criticism from lawmakers and press-freedom groups.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
Pentagon dismisses Stars & Stripes editor-in-chief, publisher and reporter
Pentagon dismisses Stars & Stripes editor-in-chief, publisher and reporter

AP News • 21 Aug 19:17

The Department of Defense terminated the editor-in-chief of Stars & Stripes, its publisher and a reporter, citing insubordination after the editor criticized potential military censorship in a CBS interview.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
Pentagon issues separation notices to Stars and Stripes publisher, editor and reporter
Pentagon issues separation notices to Stars and Stripes publisher, editor and reporter

CBS News • 21 Aug 18:24

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.

Credibility 72% Manip. 10% Center

Related events