Pentagon Targets Suspected Terrorist Ship
The Army has announced plans to reform the military newspaper Stars and Stripes, amidst ongoing discussions about its editorial independence.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, indicated that the newspaper would return to its core mission: focusing on the needs of the warfighter. He stated, “We are bringing Stars and Stripes into the 21st century,” emphasizing modernization to cater to a new generation of service members.
Parnell mentioned that future editions would center on “all things military,” steering clear of “repurposed D.C. gossip columns” and “reprints from other newspapers.”
“Stars and Stripes has a rich tradition of delivering news crucial for military personnel, and the Army is dedicated to ensuring it continues this legacy,” he added.
As outlined on its website, Stars and Stripes supplies independent news to U.S. military members and their families, and it is required by Congress to uphold editorial independence, adhering to First Amendment rights, while being part of the Department of Defense’s National Defense Media Initiative.
Funding from the Department of Defense constitutes about half of Stars and Stripes’ budget, primarily for printing and distributing the paper to troops globally, including in combat zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. The remainder comes from subscriptions and advertising.
In a related matter, The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon, claiming its new reporting guidelines infringe on First and Fifth Amendment rights. In contrast, a report from The Washington Post highlighted that recent job applicants for positions at the newspaper were queried about their support for presidential policies, raising concerns about the potential impact on its editorial independence.
The Post reported that applicants were asked how they would promote the president’s executive orders if hired, a situation Stars and Stripes executives reportedly were unaware of until it emerged in discussions.
Jacqueline Smith, the ombudsman for Stars and Stripes, remarked that these inquiries contravene the publication’s journalistic integrity and its federally mandated mission, asserting that impartiality is fundamental for all staff members.
Smith’s role as ombudsman is designated to safeguard the paper’s editorial independence. She confirmed that these application questions stemmed from USAJobs, a federal employment portal, and originated from the Office of Personnel Management.
OPM Director Scott Cooper clarified that the essay question is optional, part of a set of queries posed to all federal job candidates. He remarked that hiring decisions are not influenced by political beliefs, reinforcing the nonpartisan character of the federal workforce.
When approached for further comment, a Pentagon spokesperson referred back to the statements made by Parnell and Cooper, opting not to elaborate.
