Slow-rolling v. the power of the pen

Stars and Stripes, the Pentagon-subsidized newspaper overseen by the Defense Media Activity, has a long tradition of editorial independence. Here is the latest example, a piece by reporter Jennifer Hlad showing how accountability in a case from Japan occurred only after the newspaper started (and kept) asking questions.

According to the [Department of the Army Inspector General's] investigation report, [Major General Michael T.] Harrison and another colonel discussed Stars and Stripes’ query shortly after it was made and decided not to respond.

Instead, Harrison and the colonel decided to “slow roll their response because the Stars and Stripes was not always favorable to them.”

The officers “hoped to finish their AR [Army Regulation] 15-6 investigation before the story came out,” the report said.

Stars and Stripes continued to ask the Army about the results of the investigation against him.

On Jan. 30, 2014, a spokeswoman told Stars and Stripes that nothing had changed, however, the IG investigation was completed in August, and he was reprimanded in December.