The firing of key staff members at Stars and Stripes, including the publisher, editor, and a reporter, highlights the Trump administration’s attempts to restrict information about government activities. This move followed reports by Stars and Stripes on difficult conditions faced by sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which was engaged in operations against Iran initiated by President Trump. Disclosures included shortages in food and water, plumbing issues, and declining morale, with some sailors experiencing exhaustion and suicidal thoughts.
President Trump dismissed these reports, stating incorrectly that the aircraft carrier was well-maintained. He acknowledged its imminent return to the U.S. Critics argue that Trump and his appointees aim to emulate media control prevalent in authoritarian regimes, undermining press freedom to hide administrative failures and promote false narratives. The Freedom of the Press Foundation notes various actions by Trump to hinder independent journalism, including lawsuits against unfavorable news reports, cessation of federal funding for NPR and PBS, and restrictions on journalists from the White House.
The restrictions enforced on Stars and Stripes limit service members’ access to unbiased news. With its civilian employees part of the Defense Department, Stars and Stripes had enjoyed editorial independence supported by a 1993 directive ensuring a free flow of news without censorship. This policy ended in January, replaced by the department’s aim to modernize content away from ‘woke distractions,’ as stated by spokesman Sean Parnell. Additionally, Stars and Stripes can no longer publish Associated Press stories, significantly reducing its news scope.
The editorial independence of Stars and Stripes, dating to World War I and II, has been vital in maintaining troop morale through uncensored reporting. It has been a daily tabloid since World War II and online since 2004, often serving as a key news source for military personnel overseas. Trump has targeted the media, labeling them as dishonest and antagonistic, echoing historical accusations from dictators like Hitler and Stalin.
The media serves a critical role in holding governments accountable, navigating an adversarial relationship with presidents throughout history. However, Trump’s attempts to curtail press freedoms surpass those of previous presidents, notably Richard Nixon. Future presidents should uphold the principle stated by Thomas Jefferson in 1786: liberty relies on unrestrained press freedom.
A. Scott Bolden, an attorney and contributor to NewsNation, serves as the former chair of the Washington, D.C. Democratic Party and ex-New York state prosecutor.