Why was it significant that the New York Times was allowed to print the Pentagon Papers?

Question

It proved that newspapers could print anything they wanted.

It showed that the government could stop a newspaper from printing something negative to protect their image.

It showed that the Pentagon maintained control over news.

It showed that newspapers had freedom of the press even if things were unflattering to the government.

Answer 1

The significance of the New York Times being allowed to print the Pentagon Papers primarily lies in the fact that it showed that newspapers had freedom of the press even if things were unflattering to the government.

The Pentagon Papers were a classified Department of Defense study that detailed the United States' political and military involvement in Vietnam. When the New York Times published excerpts of these documents, the government attempted to prevent further publication on the grounds that it would endanger national security. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the New York Times, emphasizing the importance of a free press and the First Amendment, thereby reinforcing the principle that the press serves as a check on government power, even when the information published may be damaging or critical of the government.