By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times
As a former military journalist, I am outraged that the would-be leaders appointed by the Trump Administration are systematically dismantling the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes, the government-funded news source that has served America’s warriors since the start of World War II.
Last Friday the misnamed Department of War fired Erik Slavin, the editor in chief, and Max Lederer, the publisher, citing differences with the Pentagon leadership on the paper’s direction. Lara Korte, a Middle East correspondent, was fired the same day, she reported in a post on social media.
Millions of our soldiers, sailors and airmen have been informed and entertained by “Stripes” throughout their hitches in World War II, in Korea, in Vietnam, in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the current “forever war” involving the U.S. and Iran.
I had the honor of working for the Associated Press in Ohio under the late Al (Red Dog) Dopking, a decorated former AP war correspondent who covered the Pacific campaigns of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
My own service as a military journalist was performed during 22-plus years in the Kentucky Army National Guard, including two deployments to Europe as commander of a public affairs detachment covering NATO training exercises on behalf of Stars and Stripes.
Accordingly, I know firsthand how much service members value the material they find in Stars and Stripes, sometimes more detailed and more accurate than what they receive through the chain of command.
The editorial integrity of Stars and Stripes was protected for years by federal regulations and Pentagon policy, specifically guaranteeing “a free flow of news and information to its readership without news management or censorship.” However, that regulation was voided earlier this year by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
He is another of the refugees from Fox News who have infiltrated the Trump Administration. His wife also has a position at the Pentagon.
Stars and Stripes is read by American service members and their families across the world. However, the paper’s comics have been banned. Until now, I never dreamed that Big Bird was a threat to national defense, much less our kids.
Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.
