In the Pentagon Papers case, the government asserted in the Supreme Court that the publication of the material was a threat to national security. It turned out it was not a threat to U.S. security. But even if it had been, that doesn't mean that it couldn't be published.

Summary

This quote highlights the importance of freedom of the press and freedom of speech. The government argued that the publication of the Pentagon Papers endangered national security, but it was later revealed that this was not the case. The quote emphasizes that even if the material had posed a threat to security, it does not justify suppressing its publication. It underscores the belief that information should be freely available to the public, allowing them to make informed decisions and hold the government accountable, even if it challenges the government's assertions or policies.

Topics