The U.S. Department of Defense has introduced new policies that expand its oversight of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes, prompting concerns about editorial independence and press freedom within the armed forces.

The changes were outlined in a memorandum dated March 9 and take effect immediately. While the document states that the newspaper will continue to operate independently, it also directs the publication to follow newly established interim policies and stop publishing certain categories of content.

Pentagon Calls Changes a “Modernization”

The Defense Department described the policy shift as part of a broader effort to modernize the newspaper’s operations and adapt its content for current service members.

Earlier this year, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell criticized the publication on social media, accusing it of focusing on what he called “woke distractions.” He said the goal of the changes is to refocus the publication’s mission.

In a statement, the department said the newspaper should serve as an independent information source for service members stationed overseas and reflect the needs of today’s military audiences.

Editors Raise Concerns About Restrictions

The newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Erik Slavin, said the memo has raised concerns among staff about how the new rules might affect their reporting.

One phrase in the memo says the publication’s content must remain “consistent with good order and discipline,” a term commonly used within military justice systems. Slavin said the wording could create uncertainty for reporters who are active-duty service members and therefore subject to the military’s legal code.

He questioned whether journalists could face consequences if their reporting is viewed as inconsistent with that standard.

Long History of Independent Military Journalism

Stars and Stripes has covered the U.S. military since the American Civil War and has been continuously published since World War II.

Although it is owned by the Defense Department, the publication has largely operated with editorial independence since the 1990s under a congressional mandate designed to protect its journalistic autonomy.

However, recent actions by the Pentagon have raised questions about the future of that arrangement. Earlier this year, the department withdrew a federal regulation that supported the newspaper’s independence from direct oversight.

The new memo also instructs the newspaper’s ombudsman to route information intended for Congress through the Defense Department first, rather than sending it directly to lawmakers.

Broader Tensions Over Media Access

The policy changes come as the administration of Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have taken steps to exert greater control over journalists covering the Pentagon.

The situation has drawn attention because Stars and Stripes has historically enjoyed bipartisan support from lawmakers and military leaders. In 2020, during Trump’s first administration, a proposal to shut down the newspaper was reversed after the president publicly defended its value to service members.

As staff members review the new policies, editors say they are working to determine how the newspaper can comply while continuing to provide independent reporting for U.S. troops stationed around the world.