Freedom of the Press Does Not Extend To State Secrets

Topics: Law, U.S.

Public Release Date: June 08, 2011

The First Amendment protects freedom of the press, but how do we reconcile the conflict between national security and accountability? Do we err on the side of secrecy or transparency? From the Pentagon Papers to WikiLeaks, join the debate between the need for government secrecy and the public’s right to know.

ARGUING YES:

• Gabriel Schoenfeld: Author of ‘Necessary Secrets: National Security, the Media, and the Rule of Law’

• Michael Chertoff: Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Executive Chairman of The Chertoff Group, Co-author of the PATRIOT Act

ARGUING NO:

• Alan Dershowitz: Professor of Law Emeritus at Harvard Law School

• David Sanger: Chief Washington Correspondent of The New York Times

MODERATOR-IN-CHIEF:

• John Donvan: Emmy award-winning journalist