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United States, Many Interest Groups Essay

Reporters often get important information by interviewing sources who wish to remain anonymous. Some of the information that they receive, however, is classified, and "the leaking of classified information is a federal crime, although their reporting of it ordinarily is not" (292). But there are some who say that reporters should be arrested if they refuse to reveal their sources regarding classified information. These people believe that it is crucial for the administration or law enforcement officials to speak to the person leaking the information to insure the safety of the nation. The thinking behind this is that the leak may have more information important for competent national security decisions to be made. On the other side of the argument, some are convinced that journalists should not have to reveal their sources, as this would limit the journalist's ability to expose wrongdoing. In a debate on the BBC website, one commenter said that forcing journalists to reveal their sources "would be the end of free speech" ("Should Journalists"). In the same vein, many believe that the first amendment protects these reporters (Hilden). While both sides...

Reporters and the media help keep this country acting in a democratic way, and their ability to find comments off the record allows them to expose matters of interest and consequence to the public. Without this protection, reporters would not have been able to inform the public about such serious issues as Watergate, for instance.
References

Damerow, Harold. "Interest Groups." Union County College. n.d. 13 Feb. 2009. http://faculty.ucc.edu/egh-damerow/interest_groups1.htm

Hilden, Julie. "Should Reporters Go to Jail for Protecting Sources." Find Law.20 Aug. 2004. 14

Feb. 2009. http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hilden/20040820.html

Kenworthy, Lane. "Are interest groups the source of our economic woes?" Consider the Evidence. 2 Feb. 2009. 12 Feb. 2009. http://lanekenworthy.net/2009/02/02/are-interest-groups-the-source-of-our-economic-woes/

Should Journalists be Forced to Reveal their Sources." BBC. 14 May 2002. 14 Feb. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/1979272.stm

Sources used in this document:
References

Damerow, Harold. "Interest Groups." Union County College. n.d. 13 Feb. 2009. http://faculty.ucc.edu/egh-damerow/interest_groups1.htm

Hilden, Julie. "Should Reporters Go to Jail for Protecting Sources." Find Law.20 Aug. 2004. 14

Feb. 2009. http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hilden/20040820.html

Kenworthy, Lane. "Are interest groups the source of our economic woes?" Consider the Evidence. 2 Feb. 2009. 12 Feb. 2009. http://lanekenworthy.net/2009/02/02/are-interest-groups-the-source-of-our-economic-woes/
Should Journalists be Forced to Reveal their Sources." BBC. 14 May 2002. 14 Feb. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/1979272.stm
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