Read the letter below.
Leon E.
Panetta
Secretary
of Defense
1000
Defense Pentagon
Washington,
D.C. 20301 – 1000
March 6,
2012
Dear
Secretary Panetta,
The
Associated Press Media Editors association is opposed to the recent decision to
move the Stars and Stripes offices from the National Press Building to a new
location with Defense Media Activity at Ft. Meade, Maryland.
Stars and
Stripes is the only military newspaper with a completely independent voice that
serves our service men and women around the world. Its offices in the National Press Building have allowed the
Stars and Stripes staff to work with other media outlets covering important
news breaking in the nation’s capitol.
To remove
the staff from that central location will impede their ability to cover the
news in a timely fashion. It makes
it difficult to respond to sources and have contact with legislators. In fact this move will have a chilling
affect on the staff’s ability to cultivate and meet with any sources and
legislators.
Relocating
Stars and Stripes to Ft. Meade will lead readers, staff and the journalism
community to believe that Stars and Stripes will no longer be free from
government control or censorship.
We hope that is not the real reason for the choice of the new location.
We
respectfully ask that you reconsider this action.
APME
supports Stars and Stripes battle to remain an independent voice.
Bob
Heisse, President,
Associated Press Media Editors
Reid MacCluggage, Chair, Stars and Stripes board