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Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview
The notices gave the three employees five days to appeal, after Pentagon leaders accused them of insubordination over objections to censorship.
Stars and Stripes executive editor Terry Leonard stated that he was fired for insubordination after giving a news interview discussing editorial independence at the military newspaper.
Leonard's termination followed an interview with The Washington Post in which he addressed concerns regarding political pressure and potential censorship under Department of Defense oversight.
Defense Department officials cited insubordination and failure to adhere to administrative authorization procedures as the official rationale for his immediate dismissal.
Press freedom groups and journalism advocates criticized the firing, raising concerns over newsroom autonomy and the constitutional protections guaranteed to journalists working for government-funded news outlets.
Following Leonard's removal, senior editorial staff at Stars and Stripes issued statement reasserting their commitment to independent, objective reporting for service members worldwide.