Shae+Reini

Freedom of the Press:Who needs it? We do.
Should the press be allowed to reveal and obtain private information about victims, corporations, politicians and celebrities?
 * Guided Research Question: **



I am interested in this topic because I have always wanted to know what limitations the press and paparazzi have when covering a story. Most times I feel they are way to involved in the lives of famous people and people going through tough times, they will do whatever it takes to release a story. Also, do these reporters have to have factual information or can they release whatever they want about a person and their situation? If I was in the victims shoes I would not want that stuff being reported about me especially if it was false information.
 * Why am I Interested: **

It is the right of the people to know what is going on around them Freedom of Speech There are not limitations in what you are allowed to say, it's up to the publisher Revealing this information keeps the public informed and aware of what is going on around them It could warn people if there is someone to look out for (in a criminal case) The public is a great asset to the police in tracking down criminals and spotting strange things that could lead to the arrest of the felon We live in a democracy, which gives people the right to know what is going on in their society
 * Yes **

What about the right of privacy Some of the information they publish is false information, but they are not punished for it?! <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">If you were a victim of a crime (sexual or non-sexual) you would not want everyone knowing all your business <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">If the information leaked to the media is false information it can also blind the public, so they would not be any help in catching the criminal <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mind your own business <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">If the public knew everything about all situations it would just cause more chaos then necessary <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Some people do not like their name being spread, it ruins their reputations <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Releasing false information can also persuade the jury in a court case to believe something, even if it is only the opinion of the publisher <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">They offer bias information and put their own opinions into the writhing <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The press is interpreted by people differently and so the writer needs to be careful in what they are saying because people might understand it differently
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">No **

**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">New York Times Co. v. United States ** <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">In this court case the New York Times published Pentagon documents in their news paper. This information was obtained illegally and considered a major threat to the nations security. The papers revealed information of the deception in the government during the Vietnam War. The Supreme Court decided, 6-3, that the New York Times had the right to the First Amendment and freedom of speech , therefore they are allowed to publish this information.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Court Cases: **

**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The Florida Star v. B.J.F. ** <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">A Florida woman accused The Florida Star of violation of their state law, stating that it is illegal to print the names of victims of sexual offenses. This news paper printed her initials and even though they obtained this information from the press room at the Police Department, it was still a violation of her rights. The Supreme Court thought differently. They said because this information was gathered legally it was in their First Amendment rights to print her initials. Her rights were not violated but her public humiliation was, therefore she was awarded $75,00 in compensatory damages and $25,000 in punitive damages.

**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The New York Times v. Sullivan ** <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">In this court case the New York Times published a report of the terror received by a black student in the South. In this report The commissioner of Public Affairs, L.B. Sullivan claimed the article directly referred to him and accused him of misconduct. The court initially ruled in Sullivan's favor but the case was appealed by the New York Times and the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment allowed the news paper to print that information and Sullivan did not have enough information proving that the paper intentionally attacked him with malice.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Through out this paper I had multiple feeling run through me. At the start of my paper I had every intention of arguing that we need to censor the media, but as I did my research I realized that without the media there would not be a democracy. We need to be able to have the right to show the government how we feel, and freedom of the press allows us to do that. I think the media is very influential. Sometimes that means sometimes they do not promote the same beliefs we do, but that does not mean they are not a vital part of our society.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">What I Think: **

**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Works Cited **

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">“Daniel Ellsberg Exposes the US Government (Government Papers Documentary)”. BBC Four.YouTube.Web. 09 Dec. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">“Final Report- The DC Sniper.”NationalGeographic.YouTube.Web. 09 Dec. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"First Amendment."LII. Cornell University Law School, Web. 09 Dec. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Florida Star v. B. J. F. (1989)."Florida Star v. B. J. F. (1989).BC.edu, Web. 09 Dec. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"[|Freedom of the Press.]"West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 09 Dec. 2012

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Freedom of the Press 2011 - Eritrea."UNHCR. Freedom House, 04 Sept. 2011. Web. 09 Dec. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Johnson, John W. "The Role of a Free Media." U.S. GOVERNMENT Introduction to the U.S. System Democracy Papers.Web. 09 Dec. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lad, Kashmira. "Pros and Cons of Mass Media." Buzzle. Buzzle, Web. 20 Nov. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Liptak, Adam. "Justices, 5-4, Reject Corporate Campaign Spending Limit." The New York Times. The New York Times, 22 Jan. 2010. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Nelson, Ted. "Advantages & Disadvantages of Freedom of Press." EHow. Demand Media, 19 July 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"New York Times Co. v. United States."FindLaw | Cases and Codes.Web. 27 Nov. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Privacy."West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 6 Dec. 2012