“A bill to protect the editorial independence of the Stars and Stripes news organization.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section states congressional findings on the historical role and editorial independence of Stars and Stripes as a news source for members of the Armed Forces, their families, and Department of Defense civilians stationed overseas. It highlights the publication’s coverage of servicemember quality-of-life issues, the value of independent war reporting, and the need to maintain separation from Department of Defense public affairs activities to preserve credibility and public trust.
This section requires the Secretary of Defense to ensure Stars and Stripes maintains editorial independence from the military chain of command and public affairs activities, adheres to high journalistic standards, and provides a free flow of news without censorship or propaganda. It mandates a civilian publisher with professional news media experience, authorizes reporter access to installations, requires digital-first publication with print editions as determined by the publisher, prohibits withholding unfavorable news, and bars exclusion of civilian candidates from staff positions. It permits contracting for content from commercial sources while excepting publication of classified information or material that endangers U.S. personnel or national security.