New York Times Co.v. United States (1971)

Definition

The New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) was a landmark Supreme Court case that affirmed the First Amendment protection of freedom of the press and limited government censorship of classified information. The ruling allowed newspapers to publish the Pentagon Papers, which revealed classified information about the Vietnam War.

Related terms

Pentagon Papers: Classified documents leaked by Daniel Ellsberg in 1971, revealing government deception and decision-making during the Vietnam War.

First Amendment: Part of the Bill of Rights that protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Prior Restraint: Government action preventing speech or publication before it occurs, considered unconstitutional except under exceptional circumstances such as national security threats.