New York Times v. US

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

NY Times v. U.S. (1971) was a landmark Supreme Court decision on the First Amendment right of Freedom of the Press. Often referred to as the “Pentagon Papers” case, the landmark Supreme Court decision in New York Times Co. v. United States, 403 U.S. 713 (1971), defended the First Amendment right of free press against prior restraint by the government. The landmark decision in New York Times v. United States remains one of the most important freedom of the press cases in American history.

Example

 
 

Questions

  1. What was the main outcome of NY Times v US?

  2. What was the main constitutional issue in NY Times v US?

  3. Which clause of the First Amendment was central to the case of NY Times v US?

  4. Explain the connection between Engel v. Vitale and freedom of the press?

  5. What would have happened to American media had NY Times v US been decided the other way?

  6. Do you think that NY Times v US will be overturned one day?

  7. According to the ruling in NY Times v US, what is prior restraint?

  8. What emoji would do a good job of expressing the concept of prior restraint?

  9. How has the ruling in NY Times v US impacted your life?

  10. How would you have ruled had you been chief justice in the case of NY Times v US?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw NY Times v US! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

GoPo Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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