Frontline exposed investigative reporting

Frontline exposed the investigative process. The show seemed to express a concern for the fine line between news and national security. The reporters admitted that they KNEW their sources were breaking the law.

Reporters admitted that they were told that they were revealing information that was harmful to national security. I believe that it was the editor that said that he decided to reveal information harmful to national security.

Buchanan stated that the papers (press) encourage to go to war and then deride the country after we go in. A reporter friend of mine that was a reporter in VIETNAM has said the same thing.

Even when they know the article is illegal, the reporters claim to publish articles. Why do men say that they knowingly jeopardize the security of the country?

Hersch seemed to admit that he knowingly published an illegal article because he could become a cause celebre . . . become a 'hero' to the cause.

Interestingly, the reporters all seemed to admit the same thing. It was at best illegal, it was detrimental to the security of the country, and it was about the control of the country.

 

Some of the political discussion was challenging and most of it was definitely politically charged.

One interesting comment claimed that by giving up tape to the FBI (even though most of the tape had been sold) would make the reporter an 'employee' of the government.

The debate will no doubt go on.

James Risen seemed to state that their job was to tell the American people classified information so that the American people can make a decision about how our war should be waged.

The program said that it is available on line.