Longtime Publisher of Stars and Stripes Quits, Citing ‘Fundamental’ Differences With Pentagon Leaders

The longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes, Max Lederer, is retiring, citing disagreements with Pentagon leaders’ modernization efforts. Mr. Lederer, who served as the publisher for 19 years, said in a memo to staff, obtained by the Associated Press, that it had “become clear that my philosophy of leadership, and my understanding of the value and mission of Stars and Stripes, differ in fundamental ways from the direction the leadership of the Department of Defense has for the organization.” In an interview with Stars and Stripes, Mr. Lederer said that he disagreed with the Pentagon’s modernization efforts such as the planned transition to an all digital format. The paper produces print editions for service members in areas where there is not reliable internet access. “I don’t feel that there’s a full recognition of the value of multiple platforms versus only a digital platform,” Mr. Lederer said. “There is value to being able to have a monthly magazine or an annual magazine for people who are in a transitional environment.”The resignation prompted three Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee to write to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying the appointment of a Navy public affairs officer, Captain William Urban, as deputy to the publisher “raises serious questions” about the paper’s independence. “Mr. Lederer’s abrupt departure only heightens those concerns, particularly as the Department determines who will assume leadership of Stars and Stripes,” said the Thursday letter signed by Richard Blumenthal, Elizabeth Warren and Jeanne Shaheen.Earlier this year, Pentagon leaders announced changes to the venerable newspaper, which receives roughly half of its funding from the Pentagon but has a history of maintaining its editorial independence. In January, a Pentagon spokesman, Sean Parnell, wrote onX, “We are bringing Stars & Stripes into the 21st century. 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.”“Stars & Stripes will be custom tailored to our warfighters. It will focus on warfighting, weapons systems, fitness, lethality, survivability, and ALL THINGS MILITARY. No more repurposed DC gossip columns; no more Associated Press reprints,” Mr. Parnell wrote. The paper has a storied history of covering military matters for service members. It was first published during the Civil War and revived in World War I. The commander of American troops in Europe, General John Pershing, said American troops needed a paper “so they know what is going on and have a sense of why they’re fighting.” Stars and Stripes has published continuously since World War II, though Pentagon officials say its readership has declined from its peak during the Cold War. Pentagon leaders have reportedly complained that the paper aggregates news and has produced fewer original articles, according to CBS News. The Pentagon’s plan to overhaul Stars and Stripes involves limiting its use of wire services as well as banning comic and other syndicated content. However, the paper — which says it draws in an average of 1.4 million views every day — has produced original reporting in recent days, such as coverage of conditions on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, and morale issues among the sailors on the ship during its roughly nine-month deployment.Mr. Lederer is the second high-profile departure from the paper in recent months. In April, the Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes’ ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith, whose job was to help maintain the paper’s editorial independence. Ms. Smith has criticized the Pentagon’s overhaul of the paper, and the decision to fire her. In an April column, she wrote that “no one should be surprised that they’re kicking out the one person charged by Congress with protecting Stars and Stripes’ editorial independence.” She noted that Mr. Hegseth has taken steps to restrict reporters’ access to the Pentagon, which judges have blocked. Ms. Smith also said she has raised concerns with the House and Senate Armed Services committees that the Pentagon was attempting to gain control over Stars and Stripes’ editorial decisions. She also sued the Pentagon over her termination, arguing that it violated her First Amendment rights. Mr. Lederer’s resignation is effective September 30, but he said he does not know whether the Pentagon will keep him on as publisher or whether it will appoint an acting publisher.

Longtime Publisher of Stars and Stripes Quits, Citing ‘Fundamental’ Differences With Pentagon Leaders

Longtime Publisher of Stars and Stripes Quits, Citing ‘Fundamental’ Differences With Pentagon Leaders

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