Journalist Stood Against Defense Dept. Censorship

Homepage photo: From left, Stars and Stripes Publisher Max D. Lederer Jr., Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin and reporter Lara Korte. (Credit: Stars and Stripes)

Erik Slavin told the Journal-isms Roundtable in April, “We do operate on First Amendment principles, which makes us fairly unique, given that we are within the Department of Defense. But it’s something we take very seriously and always have.” (Credit: Sharon Farmer/sfphotoworks)

Journalist Stood Against Defense Dept. Censorship

The Pentagon on Friday moved to fire the editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, Svetlana Shkolnikova and Rose L. Thayer reported Friday for the publication. The editor, Erik Slavin, declared at the Journal-isms Roundtable in April that the publication operates on First Amendment principles, even though it is part of the Department of Defense.

The Defense Department also fired its retiring publisher and a civilian reporter who covers the Middle East for the news organization.

“Erik Slavin, the editor-in-chief, said he was being fired for insubordination after stating in a CBS interview last month that censorship of news for service members would constitute a red line in the Pentagon’s efforts to exert control over the newspaper. ‘I stand by the principle that Stars and Stripes must remain editorially independent, as required by law and by the department’s own policies,’ he said in a statement Friday. He said he received a notice of proposed separation and is reviewing it,” the reporters continued.

In the interview with CBS’s “Sunday Morning,” now-fired reporter Lara Korte discussed the increasingly tense relationship between the publication and the DoD. “I am working for Stars and Stripes. Not for the Pentagon,” she said. “Not for any administration. Not for any policymaker. I am here to cover the military community,” Scott Nover and Liam Scott reported for the Washington Post.

“Stripes has a decades-long history of independent journalism. DoD formally codified many of Congress’s recommendations to protect the paper in 1994, including the appointment of a civilian editor in chief and the insulation of editorial decision-making from DoD officials,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said in May.

Slavin appeared at the Journal-isms Roundtable convened after a report that “In a move that disproportionately targets women and minority officers, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently blocked the promotions of at nine Navy officers who had been selected by a board of senior Navy admirals.”

Errin Haines, president of the National Association of Black Journalists, has on several occasions linked press freedom and justice for Black journalists.

“There’s strength in numbers and when we show up together you know we remind the country that press freedom and civil rights are not separate fights. They’re the same fight,” she has said.

Caroline Hendrie, executive director of the Society of Professional Journalists has agreed. “Press freedom, diversity, equity and inclusion, they are all one and the same in so many ways.”

Roundtable participants concluded that the rich history of people of color in the military deserves to be amplified, not suppressed.

In that conversation, Slavin discussed Pentagon demands that the publication rid itself of “D.C. gossip columns,” though “to my knowledge, I don’t think we’ve ever run a D.C. gossip column,” he told the Roundtable. “I’m not sure what those ‘woke distractions’ were, because they never contacted us prior to putting that tweet out and did not contact us for several months afterward regarding that.”

Moreover, “there was a leak to the Daily Wire, which had some more information in there talking about potentially getting rid of our print edition, replacing our civilian reporters, number of other things that again, the Pentagon did not discuss with us. I don’t know how many of you are familiar with Stars and Stripes, but we do operate on First Amendment principles, which makes us fairly unique, given that we are within the Department of Defense. But it’s something we take very seriously and always have.

“So we are very careful about protecting that independence. And then on March 9, a new memo came out as we were working on Iran war coverage. We had a reporter, an African American reporter, I might add, in Bahrain,” Shannon Renfroe (pictured), “who had missiles going on around her apartment at the time, and continued to report.

“And in the middle of all this, a memo comes out with further information in it, saying that, yes, Stars and Stripes will remain independent, but you are hereby restricted from running wire service content from anything that you contract for, including the AP and the Washington Post. You are restricted from running comics in your print edition. Why comics? We do not know. And that it is something that comes from syndicated content. And you’re restricted from running what is called controlled, unclassified information.

“Now, we are probably as careful as any news organization about not putting service members at risk because they’re our readers. We don’t want to get them killed. . . . At this point, we are dealing with it as best as we can. We are continuing in our staff coverage to be as accurate and balanced and fair as we always have, and to call power to account when necessary.”

The firings “come at a time when the Trump administration, in its second term, has been progressively combative toward the media — including sharply curtailing Pentagon access for the press corps that covers the Defense Department,” Jocelyn Noveck reported for the Associated Press. “Trump or other parts of the executive branch have also, in policy and in the courts, grappled with The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press and The New York Times — in addition to using the FCC to target broadcast networks.

The Journal-isms Roundtable convenes again this coming Monday to discuss ‘What’s It Like to Be a Music Journalist.”

Panelists include Miles Marshall Lewis, cultural historian of the Hip Hop Museum, pop culture critic, essayist, literary editor, fiction writer, and music journalist; Regina Jones, co-founder and publisher of Soul newspaper, the world’s first soul music-focused publication; Bruce Talamon, acclaimed photographer who started out with Soul; Felix Contreras, co-creator and co-host of “Alt.Latino,” NPR’s pioneering radio show and podcast celebrating Latin music and culture; and  Willard Jenkins, artistic director of the DC Jazz Fest, author of “Ain’t But a Few of Us: Black Music Writers Tell Their Story.”

Also, Leonard Pitts Jr., Pulitzer Prize-winning former syndicated Miami Herald columnist who got his start in the business writing for Soul newspaper; Natalie Hopkinson, Ph.D., foremost expert on D.C.’s go-go music, H. Zahra Caldwell, author of “The Fiercest King: Five Black Women in Art, Performance and Resistance, 1937-1965,” and Lisa E. Davis, entertainment lawyer; author of “Our Minds Were Always Free: A History of How Black Brilliance Was Exploited — and the Fight to Retake Control.”

Stephen A. Smith Attacks NABJ ‘Smear Job’

Aug. 17, 2026

Pundit Says He Targets Liberals, Not Women
Immigrant Journo Marks 300 Days in ICE Custody

“This is a journalism organization that didn’t engage in journalism when it came to critiquing me,” Stephen A. Smith said Monday, (Credit: YouTube).

Pundit Says He Targets Liberals, Not Women

Stephen A. Smith took to YouTube Monday to respond to the National Association of Black Journalists’ designation of the ESPN commentator as one of five recipients of its annual “Thumbs Down” award.

The designation, which took up less than five minutes at the “Salute to Excellence” awards dinner Saturday night, quickly became the most talked-about element of the nearly week-long convention. In what Smith Monday called a “smear job,” NABJ said Smith “has established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media.

“Such commentary reinforces harmful narratives, undermines the fair and respectful representation of Black women in public discourse, and stands in direct conflict with NABJ’s longstanding commitment to accurate, responsible, and inclusive portrayals of Black communities.”

Smith replied that he still loves the organization but that in fact, it’s not Black women he disparages. “I’m disparaging liberals.” Further, he said, the award was the work of only a few board members, not the entire association, and that when he reached to NABJ President Errin Haines to discuss it, she wanted only to talk privately.

Meanwhile, broadcast station owner DuJuan McCoy (pictured), the other Black person to receive a Thumbs Down Saturday, also took issue.

“I am particularly troubled that NABJ chose to publicly attach my name to this designation without first contacting me to discuss any concerns they may have had,” McCoy wrote on LinkedIn.

“An organization that supposedly advocates for fairness and accountability should also be committed to accuracy, transparency, and constructive dialogue. My 37-year career in broadcasting, including my role as one of only two Black owners of major television stations in America, reflects a longstanding commitment to diversity, opportunity, and mentorship. My record speaks for itself.”

Heather Bushman wrote of McCoy for the Indianapolis Star, “The criticism comes about a year after he allegedly terminated former WISH-TV meteorologist Ashley Brown Elliott when she questioned the station’s treatment of Black employees, leading to a new noncompete agreement in employee contracts and a subsequent a mass exodus of WISH staffers.”

However, McCoy wrote in his LinkedIn message, “NABJ appears to suggest that I was recognized with this award because of alleged unfair treatment of Black employees.

“Nothing could be further from the truth and they shameful admitted as much.” NABJ did not specify its reasons for McCoy’s Thumbs Down.

Amid the controversy, Haines (pictured, below) spoke to Akoto Ofori-Atta of Capital B about the firestorm over the Thumbs Down to Smith.

“We certainly heard from folks across Black America who have been concerned about the kinds of things he said about Black women in sports, entertainment, media — whether we’re talking about Vice President Kamala Harris when she ran for president … or Rep. Jasmine Crockett when she was running for the Texas [U.S.] Senate this year,” Haines said.

“He was also involved in a public spat with veteran, independent journalist Joy-Ann Reid. These things are illustrative of a pattern we felt was harmful. Yes, Stephen A. Smith is somebody that speaks publicly and has an opinion that is valuable as a prominent voice in this country, but what does it mean when that voice and that platform are being used in a way that diminishes the public voice and presence of Black women in our society?”

[Aug. 18 update: “ABC filed an unprecedented lawsuit against the FCC on Tuesday, claiming that its investigations and regulatory actions are part of a Trump administration ‘retaliatory campaign’ to curb the network’s free speech,” Ted Johnson reported for Deadline.  FCC Chair Brendan Carr received the first “Thumbs Down” of the night Saturday from NABJ, overlooked by many who focused only on Smith.]

Here is the bulk of Smith’s response to NABJ:

“The reality of the situation is that you don’t have facts. You have feelings. And this is where it gets a bit deep. What a few board members decided to do, no doubt egged on by a couple of people on the board who will remain nameless, but put their names up. You can see the names there for yourself. Figure it out. Along with some others. The reality is, is that it was a personal hit job. That’s what it was.

“This is a journalism organization that didn’t engage in journalism when it came to critiquing me. Disparaging Black women is a very incendiary thing to say. If you felt that adamant about it, President Haines, how come I never got a call? How come NABJ never reached out to me to have a conversation? And you will go on stage, Ms. Haines, and accuse me of disparaging Black women with no evidence. Just your feelings. This is shameful, but it’s okay.

 

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The Real Reason: Politics

“Because ladies and gentlemen, I understand what’s going on. And I must admit, the more I think about it, I actually get flattered. Folks are scared. See, I talk too much. And I don’t speak glowingly enough about the Democratic Party. This is political. I am a registered independent. I am fair.

“If I said this about a Black female conservative, any of the things that I said about Jasmine Crockett, Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, will we be having this conversation? Would you have given me the Thumbs Down award if I had said that about a Sage Steele? If I had said it about a Candace Owens? If I had said it about a Condoleezza Rice? Would we be having this conversation? Just political.

“What you’re not paying attention to is that I’ve had that POTUS show since September 17th. Ladies and gentlemen, I have had 60 guests in the political sphere. 30 Republicans and 30 Democrats. I am a registered independent who leans left socially and right fiscally. I can’t stand high taxes like they exist in New York, New Jersey and L.A. But outside of that, I’m down. And the only thing that I have against the left is pretty much the socialist left.  . . .

“Before I taped this show, I reached out last night and asked the president of the NABJ to come on this show to have a conversation with me about her assertions that she articulated on that stage. Do you know what she said to me, ladies and gentlemen? She’d rather have a private off the air conversation first. Oh, really? So you can go on a public platform, denigrate me, make these accusations against me without calling. But when I challenge you to come on here face to face and have a conversation with me, now we want a private conversation. Before. Nah. I will never speak to her because the deed is done.

My Continued Support Despite This Attack

“I’m not talking about the NABJ. I’m just talking about a few board members that came to this conclusion acting like they speak for everybody. There’s plenty of people that were in attendance for the NABJ that had no idea they were going to do that and were absolutely appalled at what they did to me. This is not about the NABJ. This is not an indictment against them. It certainly isn’t an indictment against the Sports Task Force filled with a bunch of my brothers that I will always be there for. And it certainly isn’t something that should be held against aspiring journalists and those already in the business who aspire to rise higher. I’m always here.

The Irony of It All

“But those few board members who made this decision, it was wrong. It was grossly unfair. And more importantly, it was self-defeating. I will repeat. One of your own is about to be inducted into the Broadcast+ Cable Hall of Fame. The most prestigious honor. Other than winning a Pulitzer Prize, the most prestigious honor one can achieve in our business. On September 29th, I am about to be a member. When we look at accomplishments in this industry by Black people in this industry, I’m one of the top dudes to have ever achieved in this business. Yet I’m not in your Hall of Fame.

“I was good enough to speak to the kids. I was good enough to be in the booth for the job fair. I was good enough to have a nationally televised show at your conference. Over the last two years and the year I don’t come back with the show is when I get the Thumbs Down award.

“By the way, speaking of my company, Disney, that employs me, that I’m a star for. Disney and ABC News Group announced a four-year financial commitment to NABJ to support the NABJ Leadership Academy. NABJ, why don’t you reach out to Disney and ask who is one of the people behind the scenes encouraging them to do so? Why don’t you ask? Black producers, Black associate producers, Black contributors, Black correspondents, Black talents, why don’t you ask what role I’ve played and will continue to play in that?

Former ESPN host Jemele Hill and Don Lemon, once of CNN, take up the Stephen A Smith debate. Hill argues that Smith’s tone and approach toward Black women, Black athletes and Black political figures differs markedly from his treatment of white public figures. (Credit: YouTube)

My Ongoing Commitment

“It’s not going to stop me from continuing to be the ambassador for HBCUs. We could do everything that I can to help HBCUs generate money, notoriety, et cetera. Got something coming down the pike, by the way, where I’m about to ink a deal where we’re broadcasting HBCU basketball games. I’m going to need some Black folks working for me as talent, as producers and beyond. That’s what I’m doing, NABJ. I got a couple of projects that’s been green lit. Developing shows. I’m going to need some Black folks who can act and produce and edit and beyond. That’s what I’m doing NABJ.

Final Words

“I’ll just close by saying I don’t want enemies, but I’m not here to be liked. I’m here to call things as I see them, which I’ve earned the right to do over a journalism career that now spans 33 years. 33. I was good enough to celebrate and to bring on board when I was showing up there. And the second I’m not there, I get a thumbs down. And we throw out a very incendiary critique of me, accusing me of disparaging Black women. One, what you really meant to say is that I’m disparaging liberals because I happen to disagree with some of the things that the left is doing.

“If these so-called disparaging things I did, which again is totally false, were true and I was saying it about Black female conservatives, you wouldn’t have said a word, which means it’s not my credibility that’s in question. It’s yours. Because a journalism organization ain’t supposed to be doing that. You ain’t supposed to be taking sides, generally speaking. You’re supposed to go on a case by case basis, research, do your homework, but most importantly, be objective. This is not objectivity. This was a smear job.

“But it won’t stop me. It’s not going to stop me from listening and learning and striving to get better and be better. The NABJ is the NABJ. I’m here. I’ll never abandon the organization. But I won’t forget the few board members in what you tried to do. It was wrong. Totally wrong. I will strive to do better. Will you?

“Because contrary to popular belief, we ain’t supposed to be about popularity contests and people agreeing with us and us saying stuff that makes everybody feel good. We’re journalists. We’re pundits. We’re commentators. We’re here to disrupt. We’re here to provoke the uncomfortable. That’s what comes with the job. At least one of us remembered that. Peace and love everybody. I holler at y’all later.”

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Immigrant Journo Marks 300 Days in ICE Custody

Carlitos Ricardo Parias, left, receives a certificate of recognition from Jose Ugarte, chief of staff for Los Angeles City Council member Curren Price, in Los Angeles in August 2025. (Credit: Office of Los Angeles City Council member Curren Price) 

“Somewhere in a sweltering desert, cockroaches scurry around the cell of Carlitos Ricardo Parias. He holds up a plastic bottle, gazing at the worm-like creatures swimming in his drinking water. His other arm is turning purple from a gunshot wound for which he says he hasn’t received proper medical care,” Adam Rose, deputy director of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, wrote Sunday for the Intercept.   

“His gulag isn’t in a distant Soviet or banana republic. It’s about an hour and a half from Disneyland, in a small California town called Adelanto.

“After Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers shot and detained Parias last October, the Los Angeles-based journalist will cross 300 days in ICE detention on Monday. His horrifying conditions aren’t unique among immigrant detainees, but Parias’s case is extraordinary. Perhaps no journalist has endured such a sustained sequence of violence, prosecution, and imprisonment at the hands of the U.S. government.”

Ximena Bustillo expained June 20 for NPR, “Parias entered the country illegally in 2002 from Mexico and spent the last two decades living in the Los Angeles area, including with his two U.S. citizen children.