--- title: "Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin and publisher Max Lederer" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/pentagon-fires-stars-and-stripes-editor-erik-slavin-and-publisher-max-lederer" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/pentagon-fires-stars-and-stripes-editor-erik-slavin-and-publisher-max-lederer" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/pentagon-fires-stars-and-stripes-editor-erik-slavin-and-publisher-max-lederer.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/pentagon-fires-stars-and-stripes-editor-erik-slavin-and-publisher-max-lederer" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-21T21:05:20.330Z" source_reported: "2026-08-21T20:11:25.000Z" updated: "2026-08-21T21:05:20.330Z" trust_score: 58 critic_score: 67 hype_score: 45 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-21T21:00:20.649815+00:00" --- # Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin and publisher Max Lederer *The military newspaper's top two leaders were dismissed following an interview where the editor objected to potential censorship.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 58 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 30 digests corroborate the firings, with AP naming a reporter and a deputy. - Craft 67 of 100, higher is better. The reporting clearly separates fact from comment and names those affected, but lacks detail on next steps. - Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. The headline promises a takeover, but the article details firings and concerns about editorial independence. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte. - Erik Slavin stated his dismissal was for insubordination after an interview in which he objected to potential U.S. military censorship of news. - Publisher Max Lederer, who had announced his retirement for the end of September, also received a separation notice. - Three Democratic senators have questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the installation of a new deputy publisher without Lederer's prior knowledge. The Pentagon has dismissed Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte. Slavin stated that he was fired for insubordination following an interview where he objected to potential censorship by the U.S. military. He said he was dismissed after stating that hypothetical censorship of news for service members would constitute a red line and that Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent. Max Lederer, who had been publisher since 2007 and at the newspaper for three decades, had announced his retirement effective at the end of September. He also received a separation notice. The Pentagon had previously fired Jacqueline Smith, the newspaper's ombudsman, in April. In addition, three Democratic senators wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asking why a new deputy publisher, Navy Capt. William Urban, was installed without Lederer's prior knowledge. ## Disagreement on reporter's reason for dismissal The Associated Press and CTV News report that reporter Lara Korte was cited for the same CBS interview as Slavin. Other reports do not specify the reason for Korte's dismissal. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated, centre-rated, or right-rated digests mention that publisher Max Lederer had announced his retirement effective at the end of September. The full reports from the Associated Press and CTV News do include this detail. ## Who covered it Shares of the 30 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 27% (8) - Centre: 70% (21) - Right: 3% (1) 2 of 32 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-21T21:00:20.649815+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 4 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-21T22:00:16.523Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led on the Pentagon firing Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin and other leaders, often highlighting the potential for censorship and interference with the newspaper's editorial independence. Several reports noted the timing of the firings in relation to the Trump administration's approach to the news media. The Associated Press and CTV News, which published full reports, stated that reporter Lara Korte was cited for the same CBS interview as Slavin. Mediaite noted that the Pentagon had traditionally operated with editorial independence. MS Now reported that senators were demanding answers regarding the Pentagon's steps to control the newspaper. The Washington Post reported that the Defense Department had previously railed against the publication as “woke.” ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the firings of Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte, and Slavin's stated reason for dismissal. Many reports included Slavin's quote about objecting to potential censorship and his statement that the newspaper must remain editorially independent. Several digests mentioned that Lederer had announced his retirement and also received a separation notice. The installation of a new deputy publisher without Lederer's prior knowledge and the senators' inquiry to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were also noted. ### Right - The single right-rated report led on the editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes saying the Pentagon fired him, its publisher, and a reporter. It cited an interview where he objected to potential censorship by the U.S. military. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 13 - unknown: 4 - veryHigh: 14 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Straight Arrow News](https://san.com/cc/stars-and-stripes-editor-in-chief-says-pentagon-fired-him-and-2-others) — Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief says Pentagon fired him and 2 others - [Mediaite](https://mediaite.com/media/news/pentagon-raises-fears-of-independent-newspaper-takeover-after-top-editors-fired-for-cbs-interview) — Pentagon Raises Fears of Independent Newspaper Takeover After Top Editors Fired For CBS Interview - [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/national-business/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview-12693515) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/world/article/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [Rutland Herald](https://rutlandherald.com/news/business/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview/article_4e0833c2-5ac5-5de8-a5bd-f2f0c230ac85.html) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [Henry Herald](https://henryherald.com/news/world_nation/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview/article_87b9458a-462e-557d-9fc3-a46a7f22dbbc.html) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [MS NOW](https://ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/stars-stripes-lederer-hegseth-publisher-ombudsman-military-newspaper) — Hegseth’s Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes newspaper’s publisher and editor - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/national-business/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview-12693515) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [The Virginian Pilot](https://pilotonline.com/2026/08/21/stars-and-stripes-editor-fired) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [The Sun (Lowell)](https://lowellsun.com/2026/08/21/stars-and-stripes-editor-fired) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/08/21/stars-and-stripes-editor-fired) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview/article_643d7d5b-d7d9-5d2e-9dd9-47c0892103ec.html) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [Mid Florida Newspapers](https://midfloridanewspapers.com/ap/business/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview/article_51089a82-4b20-5c4b-a51d-71e0fa26c378.html) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [El Paso Inc.](https://elpasoinc.com/news/ap_wire/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview/article_01f8ab9c-3940-5131-a1b7-c9b29209b543.html) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel](https://gjsentinel.com/news/us/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview/article_735609c0-1fdb-5b14-b295-039437830243.html) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [Jonesboro Sun](https://jonesborosun.com/news/national/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview/article_b8c1560e-a1cb-5d11-9e54-a9610d7d30b9.html) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/08/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/cbs-middle-east-b3037328.html) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/stars-stripes-pentagon-censorship-media-d42affb0c17fef31c6089645c8dbbe70) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/08/21/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [News 4 JAX](https://news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/08/21/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [WSLS](https://wsls.com/news/politics/2026/08/21/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [The Daily Advance](https://dailyadvance.com/news/national/editor-of-stars-and-stripes-says-he-is-being-fired-for-insubordination-after-saying-any/article_680dce4a-66f9-52d3-a77b-c29c5596f8a9.html) — Editor of Stars and Stripes says he is being fired for insubordination after saying any censorship is a 'red line' - [Daily News-Record](https://dnronline.com/associated_press/national/editor-of-stars-and-stripes-says-he-is-being-fired-for-insubordination-after-saying-any/article_1c96183b-2b13-59ae-83d9-41181dd66412.html) — Editor of Stars and Stripes says he is being fired for insubordination after saying any censorship is a 'red line' - [CBS News](https://cbsnews.com/news/stars-and-stripes-publisher-editor-separation-notices-pentagon) — Pentagon moves to fire publisher and editor of Stars and Stripes - [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/business/2026/08/21/pentagon-fires-stars-stripes-leaders-who-criticized-dods-interference) — Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes leaders who criticized DOD’s interference - [Spectrum News](http://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/politics/2026/08/21/stars-and-stripes-editor-erik-slavin-fired-insubordination-) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination - [Spectrum Local News](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/us/snplus/politics/2026/08/21/stars-and-stripes-editor-erik-slavin-fired-insubordination-) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination - [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/08/21/pentagon-fires-stars-and-stripes-leaders) — Pentagon Fires ‘Stars and Stripes’ Leaders - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/2026/08/21/stars-and-stripes-editor-says-he-has-been-fired-for-insubordination-after-doing-interview) — Stars and Stripes editor says he has been fired for insubordination after doing interview - [mediagazer.com](https://mediagazer.com/260820/p9) — Sources: Pentagon officials discussed firing Stars & Stripes publisher Max Lederer before his scheduled Sept. 30 retirement; he cited differences with the DOD (Jennifer Jacobs/CBS News) ## Questions **Who was fired from Stars and Stripes?** The Pentagon fired editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte. Slavin stated he was dismissed for insubordination after an interview where he objected to potential military censorship. **Why was Erik Slavin fired?** Erik Slavin stated he was fired for insubordination after an interview where he objected to potential censorship by the U.S. military. He said he was dismissed after stating that hypothetical censorship of news for service members would constitute a red line. **What is the significance of the new deputy publisher?** Three Democratic senators have questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the installation of a new deputy publisher, Navy Capt. William Urban, without publisher Max Lederer's prior knowledge. This occurred shortly before Lederer's announced retirement and separation notice. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/pentagon-fires-stars-and-stripes-editor-erik-slavin-and-publisher-max-lederer. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes editor Erik Slavin and publisher Max Lederer", https://mediabias.news/politics/pentagon-fires-stars-and-stripes-editor-erik-slavin-and-publisher-max-lederer