"How Officials Tried to Censor One of the Biggest Stories..." Topic

…in the World.

"Sixty-nine years ago this month, world leaders tried to delay the reporting of one of the biggest stories of the 20th century. They might have been successful, too, if not for one rogue journalist.

On May 7, 1945, Edward Kennedy, Paris bureau chief for the Associated Press, went around American censors to report the news that Germany had surrendered in World War II. Naturally, his decision frustrated the military officials who were trying to control the timing of the story, but Kennedy's decision infuriated his fellow journalists, too.

Looking back, the way the news spread—very, very slowly—seems impossibly old-fashioned by today's real-time news standards, and yet the debate Kennedy started is fundamental in journalism: What, exactly, does the public have a right to know? And who gets to decide?…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

The "people" have the right only to the information that first the government, and secondly the heads of the media outlets decide to let them have. Even then they only get the slant said deciders provide.

It is the peoples' responsibility to seek out a variety of in-depth reporting from a variety of sources, so that they may judge for themselves.

Thank you Armand. That was quite interesting. I was unaware either of both the embargo and the firestorm that surrounded Kennedy's breach. He was in a damn sticky situation, but he seems to have been an honorable man. Fascinating story.

Glad you enjoyed the article my friend! (smile).

Amicalement
Armand

Makes a good case for limiting the slapping of "SECRET" on everything in sight. Taxpayers and soldiers don't have a right to know the war they fought and paid for is over until their fearless leaders get their hair primped and makeup straight?