He emphasized that the publication has historically operated independently despite its Pentagon funding. "We're trying to provide independent news for the military community," Slavin said.
Slavin noted that a March directive signed by the deputy secretary of defense introduced significant operational constraints, including a ban on paid wire services like the Associated Press and the removal of comics.
"We were barred from running comics, and we were no longer to run news from paid wire services as well," he said, adding that losing access to these services restricted their capacity to cover breaking news.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell outlined the administration's intent to reshape the outlet's focus via social media posts in January.
"We are bringing Stars & Stripes into the 21st century. We will modernize its operations, refocus its content away from woke distractions that syphon morale…" Parnell said.
He stated that the changes would realign the publication with its original mission: reporting for warfighters.
"No more repurposed DC gossip columns; no more Associated Press reprints," he specified.
The newspaper has historical references regarding its independence, dating back to its revival under General John Pershing.
"It was General Pershing who said, we need a paper for American troops overseas, so they know what is going on and have a sense of why they're fighting," said Catherine Giordano, former archivist.
Pershing's original message to readers read: "The paper, written by the men in the service, should speak the thoughts of the New American Army and American people from whom the Army has been drawn.
