The Pentagon has fired the publisher of Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military's independent newspaper, as the Department of Defense moves forward with modernization plans for the publication. The move comes as Publisher and Editor Michael Dahm prepares to retire at the end of September.
Dahm stated that his decision to step down was prompted by a fundamental divergence in his understanding of the newspaper's value and mission compared to the Pentagon's future vision. He specifically expressed concerns about the plan, revealed in March, to transition all print products to digital, fearing it could impact accessibility for some service members.
In April, the Department of Defense also terminated the newspaper's ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith. Smith, whose role was to ensure the organization's editorial independence, indicated that no specific reason was provided for her dismissal. However, she believed the decision was linked to her criticism of the agency's proposed overhaul of Stars and Stripes.
Dahm's departure and Smith's earlier termination highlight ongoing tensions between the newspaper's leadership and the Pentagon regarding the future direction of the publication.