Stars and Stripes Staffers File Lawsuit Against Pentagon Over Terminations

Three employees of the military publication Stars and Stripes have filed a federal lawsuit against the Pentagon, alleging their firings violated their First Amendment rights. The plaintiffs include publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte, who were terminated last week amid claims of retaliation for their reporting.

Slavin contends he was fired for insubordination after expressing concerns about potential military censorship during a CBS News interview. Korte, who also participated in the interview, is named in the lawsuit, which cites punishment for covering issues aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.

Lederer, who has been with Stars and Stripes for over three decades, expressed his unease with the Pentagon's push for increased editorial control. He noted that the new deputy publisher was appointed without his prior knowledge, highlighting a shift in the publication's direction. Their attorneys are from various organizations, including the Democracy Defenders Fund. The lawsuit names Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as a defendant.

Source: www.independent.co.uk