FREEDOME OF THE PRESS: What a JOKE. Serves no purpose? Or does it?

Question

RE: Bush and the New York Times releasing the so-called "Terrorists" Financial tracking spying story.

I think the Government wants to silence it's opposition in it's takeover of the U.S. Constitution. Not that I oppose it, I do not, but hell, be honest about it. We're all adults here. Speak the truth. Do not insult my intelligence any longer.

Thoughts?....noting that the NYTimes story was nothing less than PURE propaganda.

Answer 1

Freedom of the press means that the state does not control the press. See the old Soviet Union, Arab countries like Iran, China. And of course, it is a good thing. However, they should have the restraint to not announce the method of this surveillance.

I can understand the uproar over wiretapping, even the phone call records, don't agree with the uproar on the latter, but this ire over financial tracking is just wrong.

It seems to me the financial tracking is the most important part of surveillance in the so-called war on terror. And the press, not just the NY Times, announces the exact method of surveillance. I'm sure the islmofascists know we are checking the money laundering, but now they know what exactly to avoid. To me it is no different than announcing troop positions and operations. They should be ashamed.

Answer 2

I do not think it could be classified as propaganda as it reported an actual event. It is really freedom of the press at its finest. If you take away their freedom of the press then you have a government that controls the information that you receive and when you only hear one side it is impossible to make a decision what is right or wrong for you. Russia is a good example of a state owned press, China another, would you like to live in those society's. I wouldn't .

Answer 3

The NY Times overstepped the boundary on this one. This was a program that had been working, and even the Dem's asked them not to run the story (Jack Murtha included). I am for freedom of the press, but with limitations. If they divulge top secret programs like this they should have to be held accountable. They have compromised the security of the country, and for what? To try to discredit the President? If they have a legit story to print without jeopardizing security, hey, go ahead and print it. This is just insanity. Al-qaida has already got their thank you card in the mail.

Answer 4

Propaganda implies that it wasn't factual. The administration wouldn't be so pissed off if it wasn't factual.

The simple fact of the matter is the press is there for a purpose and that's to report governmental abuses of power. The administration is abusing its power, and its the right and responsibility of the NYT and all journalists to report it when it's discovered.

ADDITION:
Hasn't anyone heard the president say multitudes of times that they were tracking terrorist money? How much of a secret was this? Seriously.

Answer 5

This was nothing more than another liberal ploy to undermine the president. If the commander-in-chief actually did authorize this then the liberal press is being taken on a ride. Its so sad that the media would endanger the lives of Americans in the name of "freedom of the press".

Answer 6

What else is new, The NY Times is nothing but propaganda and everything else that comes from the government.

Answer 7

ask nixon... he doesn't think it's a joke.. hahaha.. Bush better watch out...

Republicans seem to have confused the words "provable fact" with "propaganda"... why did Bush get all pissy if it was just "propaganda"?

Answer 8

you're an ****** but it's the freedom of press it would be un american to report me