Pentagon tightens controls over Stars and Stripes after calling it "woke"

"If they were to complete a story that the Defense Department did not like, and did not find 'consistent with good order and discipline,' would they be in legal jeopardy? We don't know the answer to that. Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin expressed concern about military-member reporters potentially facing court-martial for publishing stories the Pentagon dislikes."

"We will modernize its operations, refocus its content away from woke distractions that syphon morale, and adapt it to serve a new generation of service members. Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell outlined the Defense Department's stated objectives for overhauling Stars and Stripes operations and editorial direction."

"The memo says that Stars and Stripes will continue to 'operate with editorial independence.' However, it also says that the newspaper must immediately begin implementing the Defense Department's new interim policies and stop publishing several types of content. The Pentagon's memo contains contradictory language regarding the newspaper's independence while imposing immediate operational restrictions."

The Defense Department announced 'modernization' changes to Stars and Stripes, the independent military newspaper, through a memo dated March 9. While claiming the publication will maintain editorial independence, the memo requires immediate implementation of new interim policies and prohibits several content types. The memo stipulates that content must be 'consistent with good order and discipline,' military justice language that concerns Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin. Military-member reporters could face court-martial if their stories displease the Defense Department. This action follows Pentagon criticism of the newspaper for alleged 'woke distractions,' with officials promising to refocus content toward serving service members and the military mission.

Read at www.npr.org