The Pentagon has removed the top editorial leadership of Stars and Stripes, the newspaper serving the US military community, with editor-in-chief Erik Slavin saying on Friday that he was dismissed for insubordination.
Slavin said his firing followed his public defence of the outlet’s editorial independence. He characterised the decision as retaliation for speaking out, rather than a response to any professional failing.
Stars and Stripes has published since the Civil War era and operates with a measure of editorial autonomy under the Department of Defense. It is funded partly by federal appropriations and partly by revenue from sales and advertising, an arrangement intended to shield its newsroom from direct command influence.
The Pentagon has not detailed the specific conduct it deemed insubordinate. Slavin’s account, delivered publicly, framed the dispute around the paper’s ability to report without interference from military or civilian leadership.
The removal adds to a series of disputes over press access and independence involving US news organisations during the current administration. Earlier this year, federal prosecutors withdrew subpoenas targeting New York Times reporters after criticism from press-freedom groups.
Stars and Stripes has faced funding threats before. A previous attempt to cut its budget drew bipartisan opposition in Congress, and lawmakers moved to preserve the publication.
The outlet distributes print and digital editions to service members stationed in the United States and overseas, including bases in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Its coverage spans military policy, personnel matters, and daily life on installations.
Neither Slavin nor Pentagon officials have said who will assume editorial control in the interim. The scope of the leadership changes beyond the editor-in-chief position was not immediately clear.
Slavin said he intended to continue speaking about the circumstances of his dismissal.