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FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE NEWS MEDIA - FINAL REPORT ANNUAL CHIEF JUSTICE EARL WARREN CONFERENCE ON ADVOCACY IN THE UNITED STATES, JUNE 8-9, 1973

NCJ Number
13560
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1973
Length
88 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTARY CONCERNING JOURNALIST'S PRIVILEGE, BROADCAST JOURNALISM AND ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION IN LIGHT OF RECENT JUDICIAL DECISIONS AND FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
Abstract
CONCERNING JOURANLIST'S PRIVILEGE, RECOMMENDATIONS SAY LOUD AND CLEAR TO KEEP THE PRESS FREE BY PROTECTING IT WITH A LEGAL PRIVILEGE. WITH REGARD TO BROADCAST JOURNALISM, THE CONSENSUS IS TO FREE TELEVISION AND RADIO OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL. AS TO THE ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION, THE CONFEREES REALIZE THAT ONLY RECENTLY HAVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BECOME AWARE OF THE CLASSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS BY OUR GOVERNMENT. THE CONFEREES' CONSENSUS IS THAT THE ARBITRARY USE OF CLASSIFICATION UNDER THE GUISE OF 'NATIONAL SECURITY' CAN SUBVERT DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. THE RECOMMENDATIONS, TOGETHER WITH THE COMMENTARY, INDICATE A COURSE THAT WILL FREE INFORMATION THAT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE. A SUMMARY PREFACES THE JOURNALIST'S PRIVILEGE SECTION FOLLOWED BY THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTARY. RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOWED BY A COMMENTARY ARE SET FORTH IN THE OTHER TWO PARTS. THE MARGIN OF ADOPTION OR DEFEAT OF EACH RECOMMENDATION IS INDICATED AND COMMENTARIES PRESENT THE RATIONALE FOR EACH PARTICULAR RECOMMENDATION AND/OR DISSENTING OPINIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS. THE THREE BACKGROUND PAPERS THAT WERE PREPARED FOR THE CONFERENCE AND THAT WERE USED AS THE STARTING POINT IN THE DISCUSSIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)