Defend the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes

I implore you to act swiftly and decisively to shield the editorial autonomy of Stars and Stripes, a revered news outlet for our military community since the Civil War. On January 15, the Department of Defense unveiled plans to overhaul Stars and Stripes, intending to dedicate half its content to Pentagon-produced materials, with active-duty service members crafting stories. This move disregards the Code of Federal Regulations, which previously ensured Stripes' objectivity and editorial independence from the military hierarchy, effectively rendering it a Pentagon propaganda tool. This shift jeopardizes Stars and Stripes' credibility by compromising its journalistic integrity. Service members and their families depend on Stripes for impartial news regarding issues impacting their lives, such as healthcare, education, and policy shifts. The ombudsman role, established in 1991 to uphold editorial independence, is now under threat. This action contradicts congressional intent and existing legislation, further marred by demands for loyalty oaths to the Trump administration—an affront to journalistic impartiality. I urge you to: • Reinstate the Code of Federal Regulations provision that guarantees editorial independence • Ensure Stars and Stripes adheres to legal safeguards, not subject to Pentagon whims • Probe the unlawful suspension of the regulatory review process • Safeguard funding for autonomous editorial functions Bipartisan congressional intervention in 2020 prevented Stars and Stripes' closure. Our military community requires your continued vigilance to protect this invaluable resource. Service members merit unbiased, factual information to engage as informed citizens in our democracy.