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  ISLAMABAD: The US Department of Defense has dismissed three senior officials associated with the military newspaper citing allegations of insubordination in a move that has intensified concerns over editorial independence and Pentagon oversight of the publication. The officials have been given five days to appeal the decisions, according to US media reports. The dismissals of Slavík and Kurt are reportedly connected to their appearance where they discussed the newspaper’s editorial independence and the Pentagon’s proposed changes to its operations. During the interview, both journalists defended the principle that Stars and Stripes should be able to maintain independent editorial judgment while continuing to serve members of the US military and their families. Slavík said in his dismissal notice that he was being removed after publicly stating that censorship of news intended for service members would cross a “red line.” He maintained that Stars and Stripes should retain its editorial independence and said he stood by the position he expressed during the interview. Kurt also confirmed that she had received a dismissal notice. During the interview, she reportedly emphasised that her professional responsibility was to Stars and Stripes rather than to the Pentagon, a particular administration or individual policymakers. She also argued that members of the US military swear an oath to defend the Constitution and therefore should have access to a free and independent press. Lederer’s dismissal appears to have stemmed from a separate dispute with Defense Department officials. According to reports, Lederer declined to follow certain Pentagon instructions concerning action against journalists. His removal also came earlier than expected, as he had reportedly planned to retire on September 30. The developments come amid months of tension between Stars and Stripes and Defense Department officials over the future direction of the publication. Although the newspaper receives funding from the Pentagon, Stars and Stripes has traditionally maintained a degree of editorial independence and has served as a source of news for US military personnel, veterans and their families. Defense officials have been seeking to reshape the publication’s coverage, placing greater emphasis on combat operations, weapons systems, physical fitness, military readiness and troop survival. Some other areas of coverage have reportedly been described by officials as less essential to service members. The dispute became more prominent after Stars and Stripes published reports examining conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, as well as concerns raised by military families regarding the mental health and welfare of troops. A Pentagon spokesperson did not provide extensive details about the dismissals but referred to an open letter from Deputy Publisher Capt. William Urban. Urban has called for the newspaper to modernise its operations, strengthen its digital presence and generate additional revenue. At the same time, he has stressed the importance of maintaining professional editorial standards. The dismissals have renewed discussion within US military journalism about how an independent press serving military personnel should operate while receiving government funding. Supporters of Stars and Stripes argue that troops need independent reporting that can examine military policies and conditions without interference. Pentagon officials, meanwhile, have sought greater alignment between the publication’s priorities and the department’s broader communication and operational objectives. The controversy is therefore likely to continue raising questions about the appropriate limits of Pentagon oversight and the editorial freedom of a publication that has served US military communities for decades.