Introduction
The historic Supreme Court ruling in New York Times versus the United States, 403 U.S. 713, sometimes referred to as the Pentagon Papers case, reaffirmed the First Amendment right to unfettered press against government censorship. The top-secret information released by the New York Times and the Washington Post in 1971, revealed government malfeasance in the Vietnam War (McCloskey & Levinson, 2016).
Based on national security, the Nixon government obtained an injunction against the aforementioned print media companies. However, in a terse “per curiam” judgment, the Court stated that the national government had failed to demonstrate the reason for prior constraint on press freedom in this case. A breakdown of the case summary, its impact on the press and free speech, and how this ruling guides current actions in the communication field form the basis of this paper.
Summary of the Case
In New York Times versus the United States, the Court concluded 6-3, terming the latter’s restriction as unlawful. Although the majority judges differed on some key matters, they all agreed that “The newspapers nobly did that which the Founders hoped and trusted they would do” (Jost, 2013). The justices, disregarding the alleged threat to national security, further argued that “The word ‘security’ contours should not be invoked to abrogate the fundamental law embodied in the First Amendment” (New York Times Co. v. United States, 1971).
In his concurring opinion, Justice Douglas stated that government secrecy is unconstitutional when referring to its attempt to keep crucial facts about the war from public discourse. Concomitantly, according to Justice Brennan, the First Amendment worked as an ultimate bar (Lacey, 2010). However, he argued that that should not have been the reason for an interim prohibition on disclosing material in the name of public safety. This ruling amplified free speech initiatives and freedom of the press as discussed in the section below.
Impact of the Case on the Press and Free Speech
In particular, Justice Douglas emphasized in his dissent that the First Amendment’s preservation of press freedom is a vital component of American democracy (Jost, 2013). Therefore, the ruling from this case empowers future journalists who attempt to cover government wrongdoings by leveraging the First Amendment to restrict the state’s capacity to intimidate the press. This was tailored toward ensuring that the public has access to information that is free from government bias and to allow journalists to cover all news indiscriminately and exercise free speech. The liberties guaranteed by the First Amendment outweigh the state’s interest in safeguarding national safety and civil compliance. The section below highlights how the court’s decision defines the activities of modern media outlets in the U.S.
How the Ruling Guides Current Actions in the Communication Field
The major verdicts gave the U.S. government the ability to adjust its jurisdiction to address the needs of a dynamic world governed by democracy. This is a concept that communication professionals need to keep in mind regarding prior restraint as they create content for dissemination to the public. Currently, media outlets in the communication field consider their freedom as a delicate subject that, if not handled diligently, can compromise the state’s reputation and credibility (Jost, 2013). As a result, it is the government’s responsibility to obey all constitutional laws to prevent such unforeseen incidences.
Conclusion
As highlighted in the introductory paragraph, New York Times Company versus the United States, reaffirmed the First Amendment right to unfettered press against government censorship. Since major verdicts gave the U.S. government the ability to adjust its jurisdiction to address the needs of a dynamic world, communication professionals need to exercise their freedom when creating content for public dissemination. The study of events surrounding the Supreme Court decision, in this case, can help readers appreciate the First Amendment implications on the freedom enjoyed by media houses in modern American society.
References
Jost, K. (2013). New York Times Co. v. United States. In The Supreme Court AZ. 3, 11-45. Web.
Lacey, H. M. (2010). Government secrets, national security and freedom of the press: The ability of the United States to prosecute Julian Assange. National Security & Armed Conflict Literature Review, 1, 202.
McCloskey, R. G., & Levinson, S. (2016). The American Supreme Court. University of Chicago Press.
New York Times Co. v. United States, 403 U.S. 713 (1971). Justia, pp. 403. Web.