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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.
The Pentagon issued separation notices to Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte.
Erik Slavin stated he was fired for insubordination after asserting in a CBS interview that hypothetical military censorship of news for service members would cross a red line.
The terminations follow the Pentagon's recent appointment of Navy Capt. William Urban as a military deputy publisher without the newsroom's prior knowledge.
Democratic senators sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth inquiring into the installation of active-duty military leadership within the editorially independent publication.
Press freedom advocates expressed strong concern over the dismissals, viewing them as part of broader efforts by defense leadership to exert control over the outlet.