does the media do a disservice to our national security efforts by reporting techniques the government uses?

Question

does it undermine national security when publications like usa today and the new york times expose things our government does (for example keeping detailed records of phone calls that individuals make) that may be against/above the law? or do you feel that the public has a right to know, and the media are well within their rights? does the need to know transcend the need for secrecy? why or why not?

Answer 1

My opinion on this is not so much on the media, but on the people who leaked it. Obviously, the people who leak such programs feel that these types of government actions are outside of the enumerated powers of the executive branch and need to be brought to light. Many people are saying, "Well, this is for Congress to decide- if it is beyond the powers, then Congress will stop it." Most of the time, this is true. However, there are partisan politics involved right now. The President, the Senate, and the House are heavily dominated by republicans and they are not going to "tattle" on each other or try to halt the president's authority. In this case, the only way to stop the President from overstepping his authority is to get the public involved. For this reason, it was leaked to the press. The press has an obligation to publish the news and inform the public, not to make public policy decisions. For this reason, I am not angry with anyone about this infomation getting out. There is a legitimate concern that the President's actions are outside the scope of his authority and this was the only way that it would be addressed.

Answer 2

NO!

The government is forgetting itself. We elect them. They are not some shadow government lurking around, they have an obligation to tell us WHAT they are doing and WHAT they are spending MY MONEY on.

The fact that people WANT or THINK that the government has a right to privacy is disgusting. The government is accountable to the people and WE CAN ONLY HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE if we KNOW what they are DOING!

I myself would rather terror attacks every day than to see the destruction of our liberty by the government.

Also... It is on TV shows all the time that people are tracked by the use of their funds... Even if the NY TIMES hadn't reported it, the terrorists could GUESS that the US was doing it. So it makes you wonder WHY they are really angry? They are angry NOW because the PEOPLE know.

Answer 3

Journalism walks a fine tightrope between what the public deserves to know versus what responsible journalism should keep secret for public safety's sake.

But what about the whistleblowers??? If they leak sensitive government information to the press, who's to say they aren't doing the same to OTHER foreign governments for some payola?????

Answer 4

yes but its also a service to the people so they not whats going on. also it does keep the government under control by exposing what they dont want us really to know

Answer 5

is the media on our side? YeSSSSSSSSSS, total disservive. our kids are killed daily@@ its bad enough they dont know what the enemy looks like. PLEASE. if it doesnt work. dont give it away for the sake of a sale of a newspaper

Answer 6

I believe so . . . but that just my opinion and everybody is entitled to theres

Answer 7

Very much so, most are very liberal news people.