In what circumstances would you expect official restraints to be placed upon the press as regards the...?

Question

In what circumstances would you expect official restraints to be placed upon the press as regards the reporting of an important disaster?

Answer 1

Only if it compromises the life and liberty of other American citizens/ government operatives. This is why reporters in Iraq sometimes report from "undisclosed locations," so as to keep militarty encampments at the required degree of secrecy.

The Geneva convention also prohibits the public display of prisoners of war under incarceration, which is why there was a big to-do about those six American servicemen captured in April(?) 2003. The US also violated the convention when it posted pictures of Saddam Hussein in his underwear and undergoing medical examiniations. Just a little extra info....

Answer 2

if by official restraints you mean governmental control of what may be reported there is NO circumstance. I believe the press can decide what is in the best interest of their customers to report or not to report. But you did ask what would you expect---- these days restraints are even put upon stories that were published years ago, so I don't know anymore.

Answer 3

Technically, the government is not allowed to control the press, so they should not be able to officially restrain the press. However, in a disaster situation, I can see the government using National Guard to cordon off the area of the disaster and preventing members of the press from getting in "for safety reasons". However, I am not sure that would even fly. During Katrina, New Orleans was swamped with reporters. All of the news organizations had people there.

Answer 4

It happened with Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. The Cayman Islands were flattened by the disaster, but no reporting was allowed in the British media because the UK government issued a D notice prohibiting it. The reason, as far as it has been possible to understand it, was because the Cayman Islands were the fifth biggest financial centre of the world and it was feared that had the money markets realised the severity of the crisis the world economy would have slumped drastically. The first people knew of the matter in the UK was when a BBC journalist named Gavin Hewitt managed to sneak in a couple of weeks later and take film footage, with interviews, and ths was aired on the TV news.

Answer 5

Anything gained by the press in a legal manner may always be reported freely according to the Constitution.

Answer 6

I think the press shouldn't be allowed to lie. That's the only restraint I think they should have. I'm looking in your direction, New York Times.

Answer 7

The press shouldn't report anything that cannot be substantiated as fact with physical evidence, otherwise they are reporting opinion and conjecture, never a good combination.

Answer 8

I think it would be appropriate when the safety of the people would be jeopardized, or when the information provided could compromise the country as a whole.

Answer 9

repeal of the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Answer 10

None. Unless it was a terrorist strike and military intelligence and BDA were involved.