When Truth Tellers Become Targets: The Pentagon's War on Journalism The controversy surrounding Stars and Stripes has highlighted a disturbing trend within the US military: the erosion of journalistic independence and its chilling effect on truth telling.
As I reflect on my experiences as a journalist embedded with troops in Iraq, I'm reminded that even in chaos and conflict, a free press is essential for uncovering inefficiencies and improving conditions for service members.
The case of James Murphy, a sergeant from New Jersey who removed the "chicken plate" from his turret to gain a better view, illustrates this point.