The Inside Story of What Happened at Stars and Stripes
For generations, the newspaper has served American military families. That work must continue. And it must remain editorially independent.
TL;DR
- Military gunners in Iraq often removed or sat on 'chicken plates' for better visibility, compromising their safety.
- Independent reporting by Stars and Stripes led to the military developing and deploying improved protective equipment for gunners.
- The Pentagon's past willingness to use journalistic reporting to improve service member conditions is contrasted with current challenges to press access.
- Attacking independent journalism hinders its ability to highlight and help fix crucial problems within military bureaucracies.
- Stars and Stripes has a long history of editorial independence, established by figures like Generals Marshall and Eisenhower, despite historical complaints.
- Current issues include restricted press access to combat operations and lawsuits against the Pentagon regarding press freedom.