Protecting Whistleblowers | New York Times Co. v. United States

The video discusses the creation of the Vietnam Study Task Force by Robert McNamara, leading to the Pentagon Papers leak by Daniel Ellsberg. The leak exposed government deception about the Vietnam War, leading to a legal battle over press freedom. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the press, emphasizing First Amendment rights. The case impacted public trust in the government and highlighted the role of whistleblowers.

Who created the Vietnam Study Task Force and why?

• Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, to document the Vietnam War

• Anthony Russo, to support the Pentagon

• President Richard Nixon, to end the Vietnam War

• Daniel Ellsberg, to expose government secrets

What did Daniel Ellsberg and Anthony Russo do with the Pentagon Papers?

• They destroyed them to protect national security

• They used them to write a book

• They sold them to a foreign government

• They leaked them to the press

What was the Nixon administration's main argument against the publication of the Pentagon Papers?

• It was a financial burden

• It was a breach of privacy

• It was a threat to national security

• It violated the First Amendment

Which newspapers were involved in publishing the Pentagon Papers?

• The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal

• The Boston Globe and The New York Times

• The New York Times and The Washington Post

• The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune

What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding the publication of the Pentagon Papers?

• It ordered a retrial

• It refused to hear the case

• It sided with the newspapers, citing First Amendment rights

• It sided with the government, citing national security

What was the outcome for Daniel Ellsberg and Anthony Russo after the charges against them?

• They were sentenced to life in prison

• They were acquitted due to government misconduct

• They fled the country

• They were fined heavily

What role does Daniel Ellsberg continue to play today?

• He is a government official

• He is a university professor

• He is a journalist

• He supports whistleblowers