Key facts
- Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin for insubordination.
- Slavin believes his dismissal is linked to an interview defending editorial independence and warning against censorship.
- Publisher Max Lederer and reporter Lara Korte were also dismissed.
- Lederer cited fundamental differences with the Department of Defense's direction.
- Navy Capt. William Urban was installed as deputy publisher without Lederer's knowledge.
The Pentagon has dismissed Erik Slavin, the editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, along with the newspaper's publisher Max Lederer and reporter Lara Korte, citing insubordination. Slavin stated his termination stemmed from an interview in which he defended the military newspaper's editorial independence and objected to potential censorship, asserting that hypothetical censorship would be a "red line."
Lederer, who had been with the publication for three decades and served as publisher since 2007, also received a separation notice. In a staff memo, Lederer indicated that his leadership philosophy and understanding of the newspaper's mission differed fundamentally from the direction set by the Department of Defense leadership. His departure follows the Pentagon's installation of an active duty service member, Navy Capt. William Urban, as deputy publisher without Lederer's prior knowledge.
Three Democratic senators have written to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seeking an explanation for Urban's appointment. The Pentagon's recent actions, including the installation of Urban and the firing of Slavin and Korte, suggest an increased effort by the Defense Department to exert editorial control over the publication. Slavin expressed concern over a climate where the Pentagon has not held press conferences and journalists have resisted attempts to interfere with their reporting.