I finally got around to watching the Stephen Spielberg film, "The Post," about Washington Post's decision to join the New York Times in publishing the Pentagon Papers -- a major step in ending the Viet Nam War.
It wasn't high on my priority film list; because, frankly, I had lived through that era, and I knew how it turned out. But, now having watched the film, I highly recommend it . . for anyone. It's a terrific history lesson. But, even more, it reminds us why a free press is essential to our democracy.
By the way, the issue that was decided by the Supreme Court was whether the government can exercise prior restraint over what can be published. The papers had been scrupulous in avoiding printing anything that could have put our troops in danger or otherwise damaged the nation, which would be exceptions to the press freedom, similar to the proscription of yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater.
SCOTUS voted 6 to 3 in favor of the freedom to publish. Justice Hugo Black's majority opinion was stated in the film, using a bit of dramatic license but essentially faithful to his meaning, as:
"The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill it's essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors."
Ralph
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