Former Stars and Stripes Editor Says Firing Was "Real Shock," Hopes Paper "Can Remain Independent"
The dismissal follows his public criticism of "hypothetical censorship," as Stars and Stripes said about half its funding comes from the Defense Department.
- The Defense Department terminated Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte last week, accusing them of insubordination.
- Slavin's termination stems from his appearance on CBS Sunday Morning last month, where he stated a demand to suppress a 'perfectly accurate story' would be his 'red line.'
- Roughly half of the publication's $29 million annual budget comes from taxpayers, supporting a paper that reaches an average of 1.4 million people daily.
- Following the terminations, Navy Capt. William Urban became military deputy to the publisher, pledging to 'modernize its operations' while maintaining 'the highest quality of editorially independent reporting.'
- Former staff members Korte and Slavin remain skeptical about the paper's future independence, with Korte noting such commitments must be 'instituted in practice.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Former Stars and Stripes editor says firing was "real shock," hopes paper "can remain independent"
Days after his sudden firing by the Pentagon, Erik Slavin, the former editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, told CBS News that "time will tell" whether the military newspaper will remain editorially independent.
Military newspaper editor fired after challenging censorship
Stars and Stripes is a newspaper that has served American troops for generations. Recently, its publisher was fired, and its editor and one of its reporters were removed, raising questions about its future. Stars and Stripes is funded in part by the Pentagon, but is protected from military censorship and control. Erik Slaven was its editor until last week and joined Geoff Bennett to discuss more.
Military newspaper editor says he was fired for raising concerns about Pentagon censorship
Stars and Stripes is a newspaper that has served American troops for generations. Recently, its publisher was fired, and its editor and one of its reporters were removed, raising questions about its future. Stars and Stripes is funded in part by the Pentagon, but is protected from military censorship and control. Erik Slaven was its editor until last week and joined Geoff Bennett to discuss more.
In the Pentagon, the pressure on "Stars and Stripes" is growing. After critical stories about the US army, the traditional paper loses its lead.
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