PENTAGON FIRES STARS AND STRIPES EDITOR OVER EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE DISPUTE

The Pentagon has dismissed Erik Slavin, editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, the US military newspaper, along with Middle East reporter Lara Korte and publisher Max Lederer. The Department of defence cited insubordination as the reason for the dismissals. Slavin told the BBC and Associated Press that he believes he was fired for stating in a CBS interview that "hypothetical censorship of news for service members would constitute a red line". He said he had not been given an official explanation for his dismissal and was not permitted to appeal.

Slavin has worked for Stars and Stripes for 21 years. Although the Pentagon provides funding for the newspaper, it is required by congressional mandate and Department of defence rules to maintain editorial independence. Lederer, the publisher, had announced his retirement on Tuesday, stating that his understanding of the paper's value and mission differed in "fundamental ways" from the Pentagon's plans for the publication. Slavin said the dismissals related to interviews the staff gave to CBS's Sunday Morning programme last month. He noted that the Pentagon has not held a press conference since May.

The firings occur amid reported tension between the Trump administration and the US media. The Pentagon told the BBC it would not comment on the dismissals. Slavin told the BBC that Pentagon officials appeared to be "less and less inclined to speak on the record" and that "this is a time when we really need to hear what's happening". Stars and Stripes, founded in the 19th century, gained prominence during World War II as the official news outlet for soldiers deployed abroad.