DoD Imposes New Controls on Stars and Stripes

The Department of Defense (DoD) has initiated new controls over Stars and Stripes, weeks after a spokesman commented on the independent military newspaper's content.

New Policies and Editorial Oversight

A memo, dated March 9 and effective immediately, outlines "modernization" changes for Stars and Stripes. The memo states that while the newspaper will maintain editorial independence, it must implement new interim DoD policies and cease publishing several types of content. It also specifies that the publication's content "must be consistent with good order and discipline," a phrase commonly used in military justice.

The publication's content "must be consistent with good order and discipline," a phrase used in military justice.

Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin expressed concern regarding the potential legal implications for his staff reporters who are U.S. military members, as violations of military justice could lead to court-martial. Slavin also noted that the Defense Department did not directly send his newspaper the new memo, which he learned about from a staffer.

Pentagon's Stated Rationale

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated on January 15 that the DoD would "modernize its operations, refocus its content away from woke distractions that syphon morale, and adapt it to serve a new generation of service members."

The DoD aims to return Stars and Stripes to its original mission as "an independent news source for service members stationed overseas that is by the warfighter and for the warfighter," adapting to evolving media consumption trends among service members.

Parnell further explained that the DoD aims to return Stars and Stripes to its original mission as "an independent news source for service members stationed overseas that is by the warfighter and for the warfighter," adapting to evolving media consumption trends among service members.

Restrictions on Content and Reporting

The new memo restricts Stars and Stripes from publishing most stories from wire services, such as the Associated Press or Reuters. This limitation will impact the newspaper's ability to cover major news events, including those from war zones where its readers may be deployed. It will also affect popular lighter content like sporting events (e.g., March Madness) and comic strips. Editor-in-chief Slavin indicated the newspaper will need to find alternative information sources.

Background and Press Freedom Concerns

Stars and Stripes, which has covered the U.S. military since the Civil War and continuously since World War II, is owned by the Defense Department but staffed primarily by civilians. It has operated with Congressional-mandated independence since the 1990s.

During the Trump administration, efforts were made to end this mandate, and a federal regulation underpinning it was withdrawn in January. The new memo also directs the newspaper's ombudsman to send information intended for Congress to the Department of Defense first.

Press freedom organizations have voiced criticism of the latest Pentagon memo.

Tim Richardson, journalism and disinformation program director at PEN America, stated that "Service members and military families rely on Stars and Stripes for independent reporting, not for material shaped or dictated by the very officials the paper is supposed to hold accountable."