Stars and Stripes shows how government-funded journalism can work – if it’s free to report the truth

The military newspaper earned credibility by informing troops about the good, the bad and everything in between. But the Pentagon’s recent crackdown on the paper is putting that trust to the test.

By: Cindy Elmore, East Carolina University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 3, 2026

Words: 1,525

Last Updated: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

By Cindy Elmore, East Carolina University

As local and national news outlets continue to disappear across the U.S., I’d always thought that the military newspaper Stars and Stripes offered one model for a partial solution: government financial support.

But this approach only works if those who believe in the free press – including elected officials – offer unconditional support.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not.

On Aug. 21, 2026, the Pentagon fired …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us