On the Media – Stars and Stripes in Peril

Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Brooke Gladstone
Guest: Eric Slavin, Editor in Chief of Stars and Stripes

Episode Overview

This episode investigates looming threats to the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes, the century-old newspaper serving the US armed forces. Host Brooke Gladstone interviews Eric Slavin, Editor in Chief, to discuss rumored Defense Department plans under Secretary Pete Hegseth to reshape the paper. The conversation offers historical context, details current challenges, critiques new Pentagon messaging, and addresses implications for military journalism, morale, and democracy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Pentagon Pressure and Proposed Changes

• Background: Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson, recently announced via X (formerly Twitter) that Stars and Stripes would cease carrying Associated Press (AP) wire reports and would focus more narrowly on “weapons systems, fitness, lethality, survivability”—eliminating content purportedly considered “woke” or detrimental to morale. [00:57]
• Slavin’s Perspective:
  • The staff was blindsided: “This was a complete surprise to us.” (Eric Slavin, [01:55])
  • No direct Defense Department communication so far, just online posts.
  • Concerns about losing AP/wire content, which fills coverage gaps and serves isolated service members. [02:30]
• PR vs. Journalism: Reports (e.g., Daily Wire) suggest future content may come 50% from the War Department and be written by active servicemembers, blurring lines between PR and independent reporting.

  “If you were to mingle PR with independent journalism, where it is indistinguishable, then that erodes credibility and [the] fundamental mission of providing service members with independent news.” (Eric Slavin, [03:37])

2. The Meaning of “Woke Distractions”

• Criticism of Pentagon Framing: Gladstone presses Slavin on what “woke distractions that siphon morale” really means. [04:09]
• Slavin’s Response:
  • True morale comes from reflecting service members’ lived experiences and concerns.

  “I think you have a deeper morale when what you are…posting corresponds with the lived experiences of your readers...I think that improves morale rather than just attempting to cheerlead.” (Eric Slavin, [04:53])

• Examples of “Morale-Sapping” Coverage: Reporting on housing costs, food insecurity, school issues, and sexual assault investigations—stories no one else covers in depth for the military community.

3. Legal Protections and Regulatory Changes

• Historical Safeguards: Stars and Stripes operated under the Code of Federal Regulations, mandating objectivity, credibility, and editorial independence from DoD interference. [05:28]
• Recent Developments: This Code was quietly removed, with the DoD terming it “unnecessary,” raising fears about future vulnerabilities.
  • The only current protection is an older 1994 directive, but DoD rules can be changed internally.

  “That Code of Federal Regulations was a greater backstop...That was rescinded without any notification.” (Eric Slavin, [07:06])

• FOIA Issues: The Pentagon sometimes blocks Stars and Stripes reporters from filing FOIA requests, claiming their federal organization status—a stance Slavin disputes. [06:24]

4. Stars and Stripes’ Mission, Impact, and Unique Coverage

• Historic Role: Founded during the Civil War, revived for each major conflict, and continuously printed since 1942. [07:55]
• Reporting Examples:
  • Exposed double-taxation issues for military families in Germany, resulting in policy change. [08:43]
  • In-depth coverage of obscure but crucial topics, from girls’ high school basketball to trash collection information in small German towns (“K Town Now” blog). [09:40]
  • Investigated poor healthcare access for Defense Department employees in Japan, triggering attention from officials. [10:00]
• Effect on Readers:

  “We speak German so they don’t have to.” (Eric Slavin, [09:55])

  • The paper uniquely addresses gaps faced by overseas service members and their families.

5. Past and Present Political Interference

• Not the First Threat: Recall of 2020’s attempted defunding (under different administration), reversed only after intervention by Congress, military leaders, and the President. [10:51]

  “A number of people among the general public, some former generals and admirals, came out and said that they didn’t necessarily agree with everything we ran, but thought that we were important to have.” (Eric Slavin, [11:19])

• Pressures have increased recently, with the Pentagon demanding mainstream reporters sign restrictive pledges, leading to a walkout and their replacement by partisan figures. [16:25]

6. Investigative Highlights and Reader Impact

• Investigative Stories:
  • The tragic death of sailor Dee Spearman ([12:04])—reporter’s persistence led to recognition of systemic safety failures.
  • Exposed errors in FBI criminal databases that marked service members as felons simply for being questioned, not convicted ([13:15]).

  “Suddenly someone would tell them, you have a criminal record... when in effect, they had never even been arrested.” (Eric Slavin, [13:40])

• Relationship with Audience:
  • Audience expects accuracy, depth, and advocacy. [14:57]
  • Staff often act as intermediaries, helping resolve issues even before stories are fully reported.

  “We’ll ask, have you gone through your chain of command?... sometimes it gets cleared up just after we’ve made a phone call.” (Eric Slavin, [14:57])

7. The Challenge of Remaining Independent Amid Changing Winds

• Morale, Censorship, and Self-Censorship:
  • Gladstone underscores the harm of censorship in the name of “morale”:

    “People would rather be seen than to be fed a line of what they know is bs.” (Brooke Gladstone, [15:42])

• Slavin’s Commitment:

  “Everything we do is for the service member. We try to give them well-rounded news so that they can participate as citizens in a democracy... That’s what we're going to keep trying to do as long as we possibly can.” (Eric Slavin, [17:45])

8. Lack of Direct Orders—Yet

• So far, only social media posts announce changes; no direct guidance from the DoD received as of recording. [18:39]

  “We are going to keep on keeping on because we have no real alternative.” (Eric Slavin, [18:39])

• Slavin hopes for dialogue, but remains wary:

  “If they do come through with some instructions... hopefully we can sit down and have a conversation that is not on social media and we can work out whatever differences we might have and preserve Stars and Stripes as an independent news organization.” ([18:56])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you were to mingle PR with independent journalism... that erodes credibility and [the] fundamental mission.”
  – Eric Slavin ([03:37])
• “That Code of Federal Regulations was a greater backstop to support the independence of the organization. That was rescinded without any notification.”
  – Eric Slavin ([07:06])
• “We speak German so they don’t have to.” – Eric Slavin ([09:55])
• “People would rather be seen than to be fed a line of what they know is bs.”
  – Brooke Gladstone ([15:42])
• “Everything we do is for the service member... That’s what we're going to keep trying to do as long as we possibly can.”
  – Eric Slavin ([17:45])

Important Timestamps

• [00:57] – Introduction and overview of the Pentagon’s proposed changes to Stars and Stripes
• [01:55] – Eric Slavin describes shock at the Pentagon’s announcement
• [02:30] – Discussion of wire services, “AP reprints,” and the paper’s role for remote service members
• [03:37] – The threat of blending PR with journalism
• [04:53] – Slavin explains why reporting on real problems boosts morale
• [05:28] – Loss of legal protections for editorial independence
• [07:55] – Historical overview of Stars and Stripes
• [08:43] – Notable investigative and local impact reporting
• [12:04] – Dee Spearman’s story and the importance of investigative persistence
• [13:15] – FBI database reporting mistake affecting veterans
• [14:57] – The paper’s unique relationship with its audience
• [16:25] – Recent Pentagon crackdowns on the press; press badge controversy
• [17:45] – Mission statement reaffirmed
• [18:39] – No new instructions yet; future uncertain but work continues

Episode Takeaways

• Stars and Stripes’ independence is under threat from proposed Pentagon interventions that could undermine its editorial mission and blend government PR with journalism.
• Legal protections for independence have been quietly eroded, highlighting the paper’s precarious position.
• The publication distinguishes itself by its granular, locally-relevant—and sometimes uncomfortable—reporting that directly affects the lives and morale of its military audience.
• Slavin and his team resolve to continue their mission despite uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of transparency, honesty, and democracy for their readership and the wider public.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode shines a light on the vital role of independent military journalism and the ever-present tensions with government interests.