Pentagon Tightens Control Over Military Newspaper Stars and Stripes
The Pentagon is increasing its oversight of Stars and Stripes, the independent military newspaper, following accusations from a top spokesperson that the publication is focusing on “woke distractions.” The move, announced in a memo dated March 9th and reported first by Stars and Stripes, signals a broader effort by the Defense Department and Secretary Pete Hegseth to exert greater control over media coverage of the agency. This latest development raises concerns about potential impacts on journalistic independence and the free flow of information to service members.
A Shift in Editorial Control
The memo outlines “modernization” changes for Stars and Stripes, while asserting the newspaper will continue to operate with “editorial independence.” Although, the publication is now required to implement new Defense Department policies immediately and cease publishing certain types of content. Critically, the memo stipulates that all content “must be consistent with good order and discipline,” a phrase rooted in military justice. This phrasing has sparked worry among the newspaper’s staff, particularly those who are also active-duty military personnel.
Erik Slavin, editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, expressed his concerns to NPR on Saturday, questioning whether reporters could face legal repercussions for stories deemed unfavorable by the Defense Department. “If they were to complete a story that the Defense Department did not like and did not find ‘consistent with good order and discipline,’ would they be in legal jeopardy?” he asked. The ambiguity of the phrase leaves the staff uncertain about the boundaries of acceptable reporting.
Pentagon’s Rationale and Broader Trends
The Pentagon maintains that the changes are intended to refocus Stars and Stripes on serving the needs of service members, ensuring content is “by the warfighter and for the warfighter.” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated in an emailed statement to NPR that the Department is “returning [Stars and Stripes] to its original mission.” He added that the changes are meant to support the newspaper “evolve” to meet the changing media consumption habits of newer generations of service members.
This move follows public criticism of the newspaper from the Pentagon earlier this year, with promises of an overhaul. Parnell previously vowed to end “woke distractions” at the publication in a January 15th post on X (formerly Twitter). The current actions align with a broader pattern of the Trump administration, and now continued under Hegseth, seeking increased control over media entities, as noted by NPR. This includes efforts to exert direct control over media companies and the implementation of policies requiring media outlets to seek authorization before gathering information, which led most established news organizations, including NPR, to relinquish their press passes.
Historical Context and Congressional Mandate
Stars and Stripes has a long history of serving the U.S. Military, dating back to the Civil War, with continuous publication since World War II. While owned by the Defense Department, it has largely been staffed by civilian journalists and editors. Crucially, a Congressional mandate has protected its independence since the 1990s. However, this mandate was challenged during the Trump administration, with the Defense Department withdrawing a federal regulation that underpinned it in January, according to Stars and Stripes. The recent memo further alters the landscape by directing the newspaper’s ombudsman to first relay information intended for Congress to the Department of Defense, rather than directly to legislators.
Concerns for Staff and Coverage
The staff of Stars and Stripes is scheduled to meet on Monday to determine how to comply with the new memo. Slavin expressed “deep concern for our staff and our readership,” noting that the restrictions on news sources and the emphasis on official public relations stories could significantly impact the quality and independence of their reporting. The memo prohibits the use of wire services – such as the Associated Press and Reuters – for most stories, limiting the newspaper’s ability to cover events in remote or dangerous locations, like the new war in Iran, or even lighter news like March Madness. It even bans comic strips.
This curtailment of coverage raises questions about the information available to service members stationed overseas. The newspaper’s ability to provide independent reporting on critical events, both domestic and international, is now potentially compromised. The Pentagon’s actions are drawing criticism from press freedom advocacy organizations, such as PEN America, which expressed alarm over the move to impose restrictions on the newspaper’s editorial independence, emphasizing the reliance of service members and their families on independent reporting.
The situation with Stars and Stripes underscores the ongoing tension between the need for transparency and accountability in military affairs and the desire of government officials to control the narrative. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the future of this vital news source for the U.S. Military and the extent to which its independence will be preserved.