Information of the firings additionally comes after Lederer introduced on Tuesday that he plans to retire, efficient Sept. 30. Lederer, who has been writer of the newspaper for almost 20 years, mentioned that he got here to the choice after he realized that his “understanding of the worth and mission of Stars and Stripes” diverged in “basic methods” from the Pentagon’s plans for the newspaper. He mentioned he disagreed with elements of the modernization plan revealed in March, together with the Pentagon’s want to transition all print merchandise to digital; Lederer mentioned he apprehensive that the transfer would have an effect on the accessibility of Stars and Stripes for some service members.
“I feel the proper step is for me to step down, get out of the way in which, and let totally different management step in and proceed to make this, the good group that it’s, even higher,” Lederer instructed Stars and Stripes.
In April, the Division of Protection fired the newspaper’s ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith. As ombudsman, Smith was tasked with guaranteeing the group’s editorial independence. Smith instructed her colleagues in a message on the time, which was seen by The Washington Publish, that the Pentagon didn’t present a motive for her firing, however that she believed the choice got here down as a result of she criticized the company’s strikes to overtake the newspaper.
