Supporting the Constitution
I've not commented on the New York Times' decision to publish the financial monitoring story. I wasn't there, have no legal expertise and have sat long enough in this chair to refrain from any second-guessing. Besides there's plenty of commentary going on without me.
That said, I fully support this statement from the ASNE, an organization of which I'm a member.
Newspaper editors don't claim to be infallible in all judgments. However, the First Amendment makes it clear no person or branch of government has the prerogative to usurp any American's right to speak or print what he or she believes is important and relevant truth. We believe honorable debate would focus on the issues raised by the reporting, not on attacks on the truth-tellers.
Members of the American Society of Newspaper Editors abhor terrorism and share all Americans' desire to defeat it. We also believe patriotism demands the clarity of focus on the conduct of our government that is often provided only by determined professional reporting.
Saturday update: The editors of the N.Y. Times and the L.A. Times explain the balance of national security and reporting the news:
Our job, especially in times like these, is to bring our readers information that will enable them to judge how well their elected leaders are fighting on their behalf, and at what price.
Comments (2)
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I don't question their RIGHT to publish, but their WISDOM in publishing what they did.
I may have the right to tell my sis-in-law that she's a fat, ugly pig at Thanksgiving dinner, but I have the wisdom to hold my tongue and prevent the damage it would cause.
I'll vote for responsible journalism, please, not tell-all journalism at any cost.
Posted on July 1, 2006 7:48 AM
I understand. I think the ASNE statement was referring more to the condemnation vote by the House and the statements by several GOP senators that editors and reporters should be prosecuted. The clear implication to me is that they would like to restrict the right to publish.
Posted on July 1, 2006 9:08 AM