Pentagon names new acting Stars and Stripes publisher
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Photo illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios; Photos: FPG, Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images
The Pentagon has appointed a public affairs executive as acting publisher of Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper that's long operated with editorial independence from the Defense Department, according to an Oct. 8 memo obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: The leadership shake-up at Stars and Stripes is yet another front in the Pentagon's public messaging fight.
Driving the news: The memo, signed by chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell in his capacity as assistant to the defense secretary, names Christian Devine, the department's executive director and principal adviser for public affairs policy, as acting publisher.
- Devine, who retired as a Marine public affairs officer this summer before taking a civilian Pentagon role, will report directly to a senior Pentagon public affairs official.
- The appointment takes effect immediately and will remain in place until the vacant publisher position is filled, according to the memo.
- The memo directs Devine to delegate management functions to the military deputy to the publisher to ensure business and editorial operations comply with department instructions.
What they're saying: Parnell said in a Tuesday-evening email that the Pentagon is "proud" to appoint Devine to the role.
- "As a former Marine Corps colonel and a seasoned public affairs leader, Chris brings unmatched expertise, strategic vision, and a commitment to ensuring Stars and Stripes maintains editorial independence while delivering exclusive, mission-focused reporting that directly serves America's warfighters and their families," Parnell said.
- Devine said he's "confident that Stripes can modernize its platform to prioritize original reporting and content that is relevant and unique to the U.S. military community and not typically covered by commercial media," according to Stars and Stripes.
The intrigue: The appointment raises questions about how Stars and Stripes' editorial independence will be protected, given that Devine retains a Pentagon public affairs role and reports through the department's public affairs chain of command.
- The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on the matter.
Flashback: Parnell in January said it was time to "refocus" Stars and Stripes content "away from woke distractions that syphon morale."
Zoom out: The Pentagon has not held a public press briefing in months — despite being embroiled in a war in the Middle East.
Go deeper: The Navy's chaotic aircraft carrier news cycle
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell and with more context.
