In this time of war, should the media have to seek government approval for the stories it publishes?

Question

Let's face it folks, the media is doing everything that it can to undermine the war on terror. They will print everything that they can get their grubby little hands on so long as it hurts public opinion and decreases troop morale.

In this time of war should newspapers, TV stations, and other media get a "seal of approval" for the news it reports? Should the freedom of the press be suspended for the safety of all Americans?

Answer 1

Why don't we just watch Fox News like good little Nazis, and let go of the whole idea of freedom once and for all.

Answer 2

I agree with you that the media is undermining the war on terrorism, but I am not comfortable with the idea of removing freedom of the press, even temporarily. I think the dirty, rotten, no good, un-American so-and-so's ought to be ashamed of themselves, and put the welfare of the nation ahead of their insane agenda; and support our government!

Maybe the media have been infiltrated by, or are being funded by the terrorists, and ought to be investigated as possible traitors. I am so disappointed with President Bush's seeming lack of effort to garner more support and foster American morale for this war.

I would like to see our government provide Americans with coverage of the good things that are happening in Iraq,and the good impact that our presence is having on the lives of the Iraqi's. If the shameless, anarchist media cannot keep from undermining the government's efforts, then our government needs to provide their own media coverage to rally the American public, and educate the American public to the honest truth about these crazed people they are trying to subdue.

I cannot believe that the American media didn't go crazy over the couple arrested in England who were going to use their own baby's milk bottle to smuggle a suicide bomb onto an America bound flight. The terrorists are unbelievable in their efforts to annihilate Americans, but our own media hides this from us? What insanity is this?

I personally boycott our media because of their traitorous behavior. I refuse to subscribe to an American newspaper,and I do not watch American newscasts unless they are about local news. If more Americans boycotted the American media, maybe it would make a difference.

Answer 3

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
-Ben Franklin

"Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost. "
-Thomas Jefferson

What you are suggesting is completely fascist. Limiting the freedom of the press is the worst you can do, especially during a time of war. and once you give up your freedom, how do you know you're going to get it back? So you want to give up your freedom for some protection from Big Brother?
by giving up our freedoms we will become the very enemy we are trying to fight. our freedom is what makes America great, why give it away? the terrorists have won when we give up our freedoms.

Answer 4

Back in World War II, the media was restricted as to what it could publish or broadcast. The phrase, "Loose lips, sinks ships." was a true statement. Nowadays the media does not care if what they broadcast puts troops in jeopardy or hinders national security. They simply take no moral responsibility for their actions.

I believe in free press, that is a Constitutional right, but I also believe that the media should be held responsible for their actions, and if they put troops into harms way or hurt national security, they should be prosecuted for doing it. And if they cannot abide by these rules, then we need to intervene.

Answer 5

Well, no, not in America. People should be able to do whatever they want with their right of free speech, press. It is worth giving up a small amount of safety if it will result in continuation of freedoms we've had for hundreds of years. And with that said, we are not fighting a war. It is a conflict. No matter what CNN's graphics may say.

Answer 6

I personally think they should never have to get permission fromt he gov to publish a story. That's what freedom is all about.
If they had to get gov. approval you'd never find out the truth, and we'd be no better then north korea.
its already bad enough that so many news sources have such a biased view, putting them under the gov. thumb would destroy our freedom of the press all togeather

Answer 7

In World War II reporters had honor. That doesn't exist today, so for as much as I would like to see somebody like Dan Rather get his @$$ kicked, it ain't happening. All hiding under the guise of "Freedom of the Press". But I do agree with how they cause damage with their methods. Check this out if you want to find out what's really going on....

Answer 8

Are you saying that the cost of winning "The War on Terror" is to abolish basic rights and violate the supreme law of the land--The US Constitution?

Isn't that supposed to be the cost of losing the war?

So, basically, either way we lose.

Answer 9

If we're going to pretend this is a real war then I think we should have gas and meat rationing, and a draft for all the pro war ******* who can't seem to find their way to a recruiting station.

Answer 10

Actually the press can be kept out of the arena as proven during Operation Desert Storm. Mostly what you hear is what they want you to hear.