Government has an obligation not to inhibit the collection and dissemination of news. Im convinced that if reporters should ever lose the right to protect the confidentiality of their sources then serious investigative reporting will simply dry up. The kind of resourceful, probing journalism that first exposed most of the serious scandals, corruption and injustice in our nations history would simply disappear. And let me tell you, reading about ones failings in the daily papers is one of the privileges of high office in this free country of ours.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of the government's role in allowing journalists to freely collect and share news. It suggests that if reporters are stripped of their right to protect their sources' confidentiality, investigative journalism will suffer, leading to the decline of exposing scandals, corruption, and injustices that are crucial for a democratic society. Furthermore, it suggests that the privilege of being in power includes being held accountable by a vigilant press. Overall, the quote emphasizes the need for a free press as a crucial check on government actions.