New York Times v. the U.S.

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New York Times v. the U.S.

• Rachel Simmons

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Background Freedom at Issue

• First Amendment was in violation
• Nixon Administration strived to prevent the New
  York Times from publishing materials regarding
  activities from Vietnam
• The Pentagon Papers were illegally copied and
  given to the press
• They claimed that the publication would threaten
  U.S. security
• Took away the right of freedom to press in the
  first amendment

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Ruling of Case

• 6-3 decision for the New York
• Times
• The first amendment is absolute
• At times, first amendment can be lessened in
  potentially dangerous situations, but in this
  case there was extraordinary protection
• Justices felt that the newspaper went too far in
  publishing the papers, they had the freedom to do
  so under the first amendment

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Interpretation of Amendments

• The first amendment is always the superior of any
  other amendment
• They concluded that they cannot complicate the
  publication of any article or finding
• The only exceptions are if the publication would
  put the country in any immediate danger and if
  the information is false

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Sources

• http//www.infoplease.com/us/supreme-court/cases/a
  r25.html
• http//www.answers.com/topic/first-amendment-to-th
  e-united-states-constitution