Should the New York Times be prosecuted for publishing sensitive information?

Question

The NY Times published information regarding the financial transaction tactics of terror suspects. There has been a call for the prosecution of the NY Times.

Should that information not be kept secret from the press, and should not the ones who leaked said information not be prosecuted for leaking said information? Is the blame being put on the press fairly, or unfairly? Do you feel that this is evidence of a state run press in America?

Is a free press responsible for publishing information that can jeopardize national security?

Answer 1

Yes, just a bunch of liberals.

Answer 2

Freedom never meant the right to do whatever you want, in any context. Freedoms always come with responsibilities (most people quickly forget about that part of the equation)

Its always a fine line between personal freedoms and the freedom of the press and the greater public good.

Generally the press gets a long long leash except in times of war when the national security is measurably at risk. National security is always at risk in the pure sense but this whole issue can't be boiled down to absolutes.

If the NY Times consulted with the proper defense authorities, which by the way, they allege they did, then they have fulfilled that public obligation to national security and then have the right to say whatever they want within the usual context of legitimate journalism.

If they are wantonly spreading sensitive information without care for the safety of the country then they are indeed guilty of a crime. I for one do not know the real story and I also think that it is highly unlikely that I ever will.

However, if we limit the freedom of the presses we will be uninformed on a vast number of issues that we should be knowledgeable about. Journalism remains the backbone of a democracy and spinal surgery is delicate business.

It smells like a witch hunt to me.

Answer 3

This question requires another question to answer it. Who determines what sensitive information is? I think the Founding Fathers would say that the press is qualified. If this is the case, then this is a powerful function of the public. But with great power comes great responsibility, and the world has changed so much since 1776.

The bottom line is that if the information is (by law) classified, than there is legal recourse to declassify the information. Notable among those methods is the Freedom Of Information Act.

Sometimes the rush for the scoop can be dangerous.

Answer 4

Don't you people see? The free press is obviously our last defense against the governments prying into our lives, and it is being dismantled as we speak. Our government IS the national security issue. If you do not see this, then you obviously do not appreciate your freedom, and you would rather live in a totalitarian state. Do not worry we are on our way there, and then you will all be safe from the scary bad people becuase you are incapable of defending yourselves. Oh and just for the record, the "terror suspects" whose "financial transaction tactics" were being investigated had no connection to Al-Quaida or any Muslim extremist groups. They were just American citizens who had tossed around the idea of standing against their government. This kind of behavior used to be allowed by our constitution for the sake of perserving our freedom. But obviously people perfer temporary safety over freedom. Benjamin Franklin would be ashamed of all of us. Free press is a very good thing, and it isn't even that free right now.

Answer 5

I have been in and out of journalism much of my life and I think what the New York Times did was reprehensible.

However I don't think it is appropriate to prosecute them unless criminal intent and criminal offenses can be proven, and I believe this will be extremely difficult. I don't believe the federal government would even try unless there is massive public support for such action. And I don't see that there is.

I believe journalistic ethics has been on a downhill slide for most of the last 60 years. Television has been by far the worst offender, but large newspapers have not been far behind.

The most ethical print journalists I have known have been those who write and publish small-town weekly papers. They regularly demonstrate those actions the First Amendment was designed to protect.

In broadcast journalism the best are on local radio and television stations. Most--not all--networks leave something to be desired.

While I am that rarest of journalists, a politically conservative broadcaster, I try to keep my opinions and views out of my writing and reporting.

I believe journalism as a profession would profit if all who practice it would take similar efforts. I am 65 and will not live forever. I hope there are younger journalists who believe as I do.

Answer 6

The press should act responsibly: the New York Times should never have published that information. They are quite fairly being blamed for acting against the best interests of our country, and yes, they should be prosecuted.

Answer 7

If the New York Times publishes information that is KNOWN to be classified WITHOUT the consent of our government, then it should be prosecuted. Don't assume that our government didn't leak the information for a purpose. There are many tactical moves in a game of chess...

I believe that the government is capable of manipulating the press, and so it should as part of its stategy.

Answer 8

This is another instance of the Bush Whitehouse making something out of nothing in order to cover what they are REALLY up too.

This supposed "News" story was old news a YEAR AGO... It was NOT something which was not already common knowledge since early 2005, but the typical, less than informed American, didn't read the story then, so it's all NEW now.

It never ceases to amaze me how the typical AmeriKan can be so manipulated by the Bush Whitehouse and the drooling right wing politicians in Congress. No politician ever went wrong by underestimating the intelligence of the average AmeriKan.

Answer 9

yes they should. just think, how did the release of this sensitive information help society? It does not and it does allow for terror suspects to be extra careful when they do transfer money around from one country to another. If an individual betrays
his or her country the individual is identified as a tratior and the law should be executed by all means of the law in itself.
sure we have rights but how did this action help our rights and protect us from harm? If we get killed what happens to our rights; it seems that our rights are being used against us, sometimes there are certain things that should not be exposed to society because it does jeopardize national security.

Answer 10

Freedom of the press is more complicated than it sounds. The media has an obligation to exercise discretion - but I don't think the Times should be prosecuted. It is the government's responsibility to ensure the security of their sensitive information.

Answer 11

The NY Times should not be prosecuted.I, don't like what they did, but to try to force the press what to print or not is a vioation of the freedom of speech