editorial independence

The Pentagon dismissed Stars and Stripes' editor-in-chief, Erik Slavin, and reporter Lara Korte for insubordination after they publicly objected to potential censorship by the U.S. military. The move also included the dismissal of publisher Max Lederer. Media leaders criticized these dismissals as attempts by the Pentagon to dictate coverage and undermine editorial independence.

Senate Democrats introduced legislation to restore editorial independence to Stars and Stripes, the Pentagon's military newspaper, following recent restrictions imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The bill would prohibit Pentagon censorship except in extreme circumstances endangering servicemembers, require a civilian publisher, and protect journalist access to military events.

The Pentagon removed the ombudsman of the U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes, who was responsible for monitoring the outlet's editorial independence and reporting to Congress. Jacqueline Smith, the fired ombudsman, indicated that the Pentagon sought to silence concerns about the newspaper's independence.