Pentagon names public affairs official Stars and Stripes acting publisher
The Pentagon has appointed Christian Devine as the acting publisher of Stars and Stripes, the military's independent newspaper. This move is part of a broader effort by the Defense Department to manage its public messaging and internal communications.
Why it matters
The appointment raises concerns regarding the editorial independence of a publication historically shielded from direct Pentagon control.
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.
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