Pentagon Shifts Stars and Stripes: 'No More Woke Distractions'

The Pentagon announces changes to Stars and Stripes, focusing on military reporting. Concerns arise over editorial independence amid new hiring practices linked to Trump administration policies. The newspaper, historically independent, faces challenges retaining its mission of unbiased reporting for service members.

The Pentagon has announced a significant shift in the editorial direction of Stars and Stripes, the long-standing independent military newspaper. The change aims to concentrate its content on military reporting, eliminating what have been dubbed 'woke distractions.'

This move has sparked concerns regarding the outlet's legacy of editorial independence. Critics worry that recent hiring practices, questioning applicants on their support for Trump's policies, may undermine unbiased reporting. The focus now is on core military issues like weapon systems and survivability.

Historically, Stars and Stripes functioned independently, emphasizing its First Amendment principles. Under the Trump administration, there are questions about its continued freedom from government influence, raising alarms within journalistic and military communities alike.