Yashna Kumar
Mrs. Wilson
AP Lang, Period 5
3 February 2016
Government Leaks and Freedom of Information
“Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people . . . to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,” the First Amendment of the Constitution states. The First Amendment protects everyone, but specifically mentions “the press.” The Supreme Court generally merges freedom of speech with freedom of press grants the same rights to all. Due to this, the Court has allowed press access to criminal trials since trials are open to the public as well (Seng). But the press is denied special access to deportation proceedings, prisons and jails, and other facilities not generally …show more content…
Stephen Aftergood, director of Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy argues a common viewpoint about past government leaks and their impact on society: “It has invaded personal privacy. It has published libellous material. It has violated intellectual property rights. And above all, it has launched a sweeping attack not simply on corruption, but on secrecy itself. And I think that 's both a strategic and a tactical error” (Rutger) In contemporary society, the communications revolution has made it easier for the government to spy on its citizens and track down perceived enemies or leakers. Technology has stimulated the free flow of information, but it has also created a more invasive American government. Also, opponents state that technology allows enemies and leakers to freely access information that they can use to destroy American democracy and civil
Mrs. Wilson
AP Lang, Period 5
3 February 2016
Government Leaks and Freedom of Information
“Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people . . . to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,” the First Amendment of the Constitution states. The First Amendment protects everyone, but specifically mentions “the press.” The Supreme Court generally merges freedom of speech with freedom of press grants the same rights to all. Due to this, the Court has allowed press access to criminal trials since trials are open to the public as well (Seng). But the press is denied special access to deportation proceedings, prisons and jails, and other facilities not generally …show more content…
Stephen Aftergood, director of Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy argues a common viewpoint about past government leaks and their impact on society: “It has invaded personal privacy. It has published libellous material. It has violated intellectual property rights. And above all, it has launched a sweeping attack not simply on corruption, but on secrecy itself. And I think that 's both a strategic and a tactical error” (Rutger) In contemporary society, the communications revolution has made it easier for the government to spy on its citizens and track down perceived enemies or leakers. Technology has stimulated the free flow of information, but it has also created a more invasive American government. Also, opponents state that technology allows enemies and leakers to freely access information that they can use to destroy American democracy and civil