Home Awakening Journalism’s Happy Days — President Kennedy Asks the Press for Help

Journalism’s Happy Days — President Kennedy Asks the Press for Help

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[Editor’s note: On April 27, 1961 – three months after his inauguration – Kennedy spoke to the American Newspaper Publishers Association, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. He called his talk “The President and the Press.” Its theme, the Cold War, is now dated, but society still needs “the Fourth Estate”. Bolding added by Gumshoe:]

JFK:

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate very much your generous invitation to be here tonight.  You bear heavy responsibilities these days….

My purpose here tonight is not to deliver the usual assault on the so-called one party press. … Nor is it my purpose tonight to discuss or defend the televising of Presidential press conferences. I think it is highly beneficial to have some 20,000,000 Americans regularly sit in on these conferences to observe, if I may say so, the incisive, the intelligent and the courteous qualities displayed by your Washington correspondents…. [He wasn’t kidding!]

I want to talk about our common responsibilities in the face of a common danger. … Whatever our hopes may be for the future–for reducing this threat or living with it — there is no escaping either the gravity or the totality of its challenge to our survival and to our security — a challenge that confronts us in unaccustomed ways in every sphere of human activity.

This deadly challenge imposes upon our society two requirements of direct concern both to the press and to the President — two requirements that may seem almost contradictory in tone, but which must be reconciled…. I refer, first, to the need for a far greater public information; and, second, to the need for far greater official secrecy.

SECRECY

The very word “secrecy” is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it.

Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions…. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it.

And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment.  That I do not intend to permit to the extent that it is in my control.

And no official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know.

But I do ask every publisher, every editor, and every newsman in the nation to reexamine his own standards, and to recognize the nature of our country’s peril. In time of war, the government and the press have customarily joined in an effort based largely on self-discipline, to prevent unauthorized disclosures to the enemy.

In time of “clear and present danger,” the courts have held that even the privileged rights of the First Amendment must yield to the public’s need for national security.

Today no war has been declared–and however fierce the struggle may be, it may never be declared in the traditional fashion. Our way of life is under attack. Those who make themselves our enemy are advancing around the globe. The survival of our friends is in danger.

And yet no war has been declared, no borders have been crossed by marching troops, no missiles have been fired…. It requires a change in outlook, a change in tactics, a change in missions — by the government, by the people, by every businessman or labor leader, and by every newspaper.

CONSPIRACY

For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence — on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections….

It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations.

Its preparations are concealed, not published….. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised…. It conducts the Cold War, in short, with a war-time discipline no democracy would ever hope or wish to match.

Nevertheless, every democracy recognizes the necessary restraints of national security — and the question remains whether those restraints need to be more strictly observed if we are to oppose this kind of attack as well as outright invasion.

For the facts of the matter are that this nation’s foes have openly boasted of acquiring through our newspapers information they would otherwise hire agents to acquire

…. that the size, the strength, the location and the nature of our forces and weapons, …and in at least in one case, the publication of details concerning a secret mechanism whereby satellites were followed required its alteration at the expense of considerable time and money.

The newspapers which printed these stories were loyal, patriotic, responsible and well-meaning. Had we been engaged in open warfare, they undoubtedly would not have published such items. But in the absence of open warfare, they recognized only the tests of journalism and not the tests of national security. And my question tonight is whether additional tests should not now be adopted.

The question is for you alone to answer. No public official should answer it for you. No governmental plan should impose its restraints against your will. But I would be failing in my duty to the nation, in considering all of the responsibilities that we now bear and all of the means at hand to meet those responsibilities, if I did not commend this problem to your attention, and urge its thoughtful consideration.

On many earlier occasions, I have said — and your newspapers have constantly said — that these are times that appeal to every citizen’s sense of sacrifice and self-discipline. They call out to every citizen to weigh his rights and comforts against his obligations to the common good. I cannot now believe that those citizens who serve in the newspaper business consider themselves exempt from that appeal.

I have no intention of establishing a new Office of War Information to govern the flow of news. I am not suggesting any new forms of censorship or any new types of security classifications….

But I am asking the members of the newspaper profession and the industry in this country to reexamine their own responsibilities….

Every newspaper now asks itself, with respect to every story: “Is it news?” All I suggest is that you add the question: “Is it in the interest of the national security?” …

And should the press of America consider and recommend the voluntary assumption of specific new steps or machinery, I can assure you that we will cooperate whole-heartedly with those recommendations.

Perhaps there will be no recommendations. Perhaps there is no answer to the dilemma faced by a free and open society in a cold and secret war. …

It is the unprecedented nature of this challenge that also gives rise to your second obligation–an obligation which I share. And that is our obligation to inform and alert the American people — to make certain that they possess all the facts that they need, and understand them as well — the perils, the prospects, the purposes of our program and the choices that we face.

No President should fear public scrutiny of his program. For from that scrutiny comes understanding; and from that understanding comes support or opposition. And both are necessary. I am not asking your newspapers to support the Administration, but I am asking your help in the tremendous task of informing and alerting the American people. For I have complete confidence in the response and dedication of our citizens whenever they are fully informed.

I not only could not stifle controversy among your readers — I welcome it. This Administration intends to be candid about its errors; for as a wise man once said: “An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.” We intend to accept full responsibility for our errors; and we expect you to point them out when we miss them.

Without debate, without criticism, …  no republic can survive. That is why the Athenian lawmaker Solon decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy.

And that is why our press was protected by the First Amendment — the only business in America specifically protected by the Constitution …  not to simply “give the public what it wants” — but to inform, to arouse, to reflect, to state our dangers and our opportunities, to indicate our crises and our choices, to lead, mold, educate and sometimes even anger public opinion.

This means greater coverage and analysis of international news — for it is no longer far away…. It means greater attention to improved understanding of the news…. And it means, finally, that government at all levels, must meet its obligation to provide you with the fullest possible information outside the narrowest limits of national security — and we intend to do it.

It was early in the Seventeenth Century that Francis Bacon remarked on three recent inventions already transforming the world: the compass, gunpowder and the printing press. …

And so it is to the printing press — to the recorder of man’s deeds, the keeper of his conscience, the courier of his news–that we look for strength and assistance, confident that with your help man will be what he was born to be: free and independent.

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27 COMMENTS

  3. I have sent this out to many of my contacts over the years as well as the warning from President Eisenhower of the military industrial complex.

    Unfortunately the renowned “Fourth Estate” has been captured and hijacked by the corporate-government sector to be used as a propaganda apparatus tool for their nefarious agendas and to manufacture consent in their insidious perpetual wars, toxic and contaminated vaccine campaigns, political correctness and to quell any genuine discussion or dialogue to suppress genuine dissent by government abuse of power.

    Governments constantly breach the contract/agreement between the people. The compulsive lying politicians with their Doublespeak is hardly ever questioned by those who call themselves journalists these days hence the many alternative media and news that have been established as a priority for truth. Thank you again Mary and Dee for Gumshoe to create dialogue and discussion to reveal and not to conceal facts of evidence.

  4. And the new standard was simple, “Every newspaper now asks itself, with respect to every story: “Is it news?” All I suggest is that you add the question: “Is it in the interest of the national security?” …

    He would be gobsmacked to see what journalism has devolved to today. “Is it news?” – Crikey, is it anything more than total BS? “Is what you’re doing meant to deceive?”

    How about this comment, “the incisive, the intelligent and the courteous qualities displayed by your Washington correspondents”.

  6. In the paper today, they (the journo establishment) challenged Alexander Stewart (Palmer’s Party) about vaccinations. His kids aren’t vaccinated and he said “we need to ask questions”.

    Talking about not being able to question the merits or side effects of vaccinations, I smiled at Stewart’s quote “If you want to remove weeds from my garden one option is to use a nuclear weapon. Yeah, it would remove the weeds… “

  7. Many of these “reporters of nonsense” are medical reporters with their brainwashed dogma with no critical analysis of the flawed medical model ideology and utter nonsense of the concocted “herd theory” mentality. They give their robotic mantra of “Vaccines are safe” and ignore the $3.5 billion dollars in payments and rising with the ‘vaccine injured’ babies and children let alone the adults. they ignore the deaths and they ignore any science whatsoever.

    • ‘Dave Hodges’ common sense show’ hits from NZ and Australia are down more than half according to Mr Hodges. ……. over the last couple of months.

      • Sorry Terry did not realise that you reported on Hodges at investment watch above.
        Oh well, we are on the same page.
        The poor public can not be bothered to even open the book and comprehend the last chapter written by Orwell.

  12. Would readers who are in a good mood please add to this fictional speech by Pres Trump:

    Ladies and Gentlemen of the Mainstream Media,

    I have a favor to ask. I am appealing to your patriotism. (For example you, Anderson Cooper):

    We are in a crisis and it has nothing to do with the next election or with “Parties.” I myself take the blame for swerving a bit off track as “president of all Americans” by emphasizing the conflict between Dems and Repubs. It’s time to get past that.

    Also, I have come to realize that my personal wealth, which came from real estate deals, is, well, too great. I should still wear $4000 suits as it does help America to look strong, but I can offload a few hotels.

    Look, I think it’s time we looked into Columbine, Aurora, Boston, Orlando, Pittsburgh, and other shootouts. The Dems — oops I promised to not be partisan — the sillies who think getting rid of guns will help us are wrong. It wasn’t guns — or in Boston, bombs — that caused the tragedy, was it?

    ETCETERA.

  13. On the eve of our democratic elections with pencils , we should be grateful that we have the fastest poll readers in the world . That aside , look at the leaders we have . If they weren’t chosen by the select few , do you really think they would be there by popular approval ?
    The policies of our secret government , behind closed doors , is exactly what JFK warned us about . ” Free and independent ” we are not .
    The illusion presented on tell lies vision is the opposite to the reality that is debt slave usury . Today we are embracing globalism by force , from both major parties . China is the role model ! Do we not realise , on that dystopian farm only the pigs and their savage dogs live the good life . The 1% rulers with their 9% enforcers . This is communism !

    The middle way (class) that made Oz the fairest of all nations has been replaced by “professionals” and servants . A two class system !
    Technocracy is a totalitarian monster beyond imagination . It’s abominations are there for all to see in recent history . But that is erased as we speak .

    Pray for love peace and understanding . Listen to our heart and gut feelings , to guide us through the maze .

    “Do to others as you would have them do to you .”

    No greater words have been spoken in time .

  14. It is not ‘our’ government anymore it is their criminal syndicate masquerading as government. Their meaning the Fascist and the Fascist corporations have infiltrated the upper echelons of government along with the so-called ‘Intelligence agencies’ a long time ago thanks to the seditious actions by the traitors we call politicians. Much of this technocratic monster comes from Silicon Valley.

    Trilaterals Over Washington: Volumes I & II
    https://www.amazon.com/Trilaterals-Over-Washington-Volumes-II/dp/0986373923/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_1?encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Y0ESMC4BWNTVCBX2VZB2&dpID=51gVzezsacL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40&dpSrc=detail

    Technocracy Rising: The Trojan Horse Of Global Transformation
    https://www.amazon.com/Technocracy-Rising-Trojan-Global-Transformation/dp/0986373907/ref=sr_1_sc_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504859776&sr=1-3-spell&keywords=trialateral+over+washington

    This is the original documented story of the organization and members of the Trilateral Commission, founded in 1973 by David Rockefeller and Zbigniew Brzezinski, with the specific purpose of creating a “New International Economic Order”. With a small but powerful international membership, hand-picked by an executive committee, Commissioners asserted undue influence over America, Japan and Europe.

    In 1976, Trilateral members James Earl Carter and Walter Mondale were elected to head the Executive Branch in the U.S., thus starting a 40 year hegemony over the greatest economic nation on earth. American influence and position was used to reform international trade, promote globalization and interdependence among nations. European Trilateral members were then instrumental in using the United Nations to create a doctrine of Sustainable Development and Green Economy: See Technocracy Rising: The Trojan Horse of Global Transformation (Wood, 2015) for details.

    Originally written in 1979-1980, Trilaterals Over Washington quickly became a best-seller and over the course of about two years, sold over 75,000 copies internationally. The books were very well received for excellent scholarship and original research, and even became a frequently-used textbook in political science classes at many colleges in U.S. universities.

    The co-author, Antony C. Sutton, passed in 2002 after authoring 24 books during a distinguished academic career that included UCLA and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

  15. Until there are genuine changes made in the fraudulent Australian voting system it will be same ole same ole business as usual. http://hotheads.com.au/voting.htm

    “Nation in Progress by Professor Larissa Behrendt SMH January 2001

    “They are minimal, and do not include the general right to vote, to free speech, to freedom of movement or to freedom from racial discrimination….And those rights hat do not exist have been interpreted by the courts in narrow way, e.g.. Section 116 which guarantees freedom of religion……Accordingly, we must consider carefully the omission from our constitution of many basic rights which we tend to take for granted and the merely sparing invocation of others”

    Nevertheless, “our legal mechanisms do not adequately reflect the values and principles we share about our rights as citizens of Australia” and which reflect the UN Covenant of Civil and Political Rights ”

    Preferential Voting must be revoked and replaced with the far more democratic Proportional Representation
    The Australian Constitution describes a status of dependency on the UK with the position of the Governor-General (who took us to two false flag wars by the way) which essentially a colonial relationship
    The Constitution originally was made for a Federation in which it is clearly not today with the constant creeping of Centralisation
    Local Government is not even mentioned in the Constitution hence we have Corporations acting as Local Governments with CEO’s as Australia has rejected twice that Local Governments be part of the Constitution (A wise decision not to be included in my view)
    Australia is over governed or over ruled and over taxed
    The Constitution makes no mention of political parties
    A two-party inefficient single electorate system exists separate from the Constitution instead of a ‘multi-member’ electoral system with Proportional Representation and enshrined in the Constitution which truly represents the diversity in each electorate
    Australia has become very Fascist with duplication, bureaucratic delays, over regulation and the ‘revolving door’ that must be shut for politician for 7 years after retiring
    The so-called Parliamentary democracy is not protected in the Constitution
    Australia is the only Commonwealth country that does not have a Bill of Rights for statuary protection of its citizens
    The Constitution makes no provision for the Indigenous Peoples http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/UNSWLawJl/2001/70.html
    Few people are familiar with the Constitution which is seriously flawed and have turned their backs on the political system for good reasons. The Rod Cullen decision for one
    The Constitution makes no provision for the protection of the Environment to be safeguarded
    The Constitution has no provision for the appointment of Cabinet Ministers from outside the legislature as does Europe and the US, hence the lack of quality and expertise of Parliament
    The Constitution makes no mention or provision for the diversity of representatives to the two Houses of Parliament
    The High Court judges are able to determine what the Founding Fathers had implied in human and political rights…?
    Introduce The Australian People’s democratic right to instigate constitutional changes instead of the bias two-party political system in which the ALP is not the Opposition at all as they claim to be.
    The Corporation Power in Section 51 is limited to foreign corporations only. The various states have differing corporation laws
    The Constitution does not state that the Government derives its power from the people the very essence of a true democratic nation-state and a Republic not a democracy.
    The Constitution does not elaborate on nation economic sovereignty to be safeguarded in this sinister globalisation process hence the political parties taking advantage in many areas and the oligarchy of beneficiaries that is unwarranted
    There needs to be a extra-parliament movement i.e. Republic of Australia Movement to override the Turnbull ARM which is wanting and deficient for regular Constitutional Conventions like the Constitutional Centenary Foundation of 2001
    The Government abuse of power must be included in the Constitution as this is regularly breached
    Withdraw from the Communist United Nations and divert funds to a number of areas

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