The Most Dangerous Man in America

Last night a surge of patriotism and pride surged through my veins as I watched a documentary on Daniel Ellsberg, a former United States military analyst who triggered a political controversy. He also hosted a forum via Skype with students from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

The documentary, The Most Dangerous Man in Americas, explained Ellsberg's release a top secret government study known as the Pentagon Papers in 1971. He secretly made several sets of copies with the assistance of his former  colleague Anthony Russo. The papers showed the government had lied to Congress and the public about the war in Vietnam. Ellsberg gave his first set of copies to the New York Times. The Times published the first of nine excerpts on the 7,000 page study.

Shortly after, the Nixon administration prevented publication of the Times and the excerpts through a court order. The confidential document was leaked to the Washington Post, which after a few days was also ordered to stop publication. Since the presidency of Lincoln during the Civil War, this was first time the federal government restrained publication of a major newspaper . Ellsberg The right of the press to publish the papers was upheld in  New York Times Co. v. United States.

The forum provided students with historical anecdotes and facts of which they were not aware of before. The film was far from boring...using old footage, pictures, interviews and audio the producers were able to bring the story to life. For many of us who were not alive during that time, it is important that a film provide a well rounded story. After the documentary was over, if any students were puzzled about something that occurred during that time they were given the opportunity to ask Ellsberg himself to clarify or provide further information.

It was a learning experience for me. I knew about the Pentagon Papers but not in detail. I realized how crucial freedom of speech and the press can be. Luckily, after the New York Times Co. v. United States, newspapers and other media retained the ability to publish without government censorship. Countries around the world can not enjoy the freedoms like the ones that were bestowed upon us by our forefathers. I was born in Venezuela and my parents are Cuban. Having the ability to speak out against government is a right that I do not take for granted. Journalists in Cuba face severe government oppression if they publish a piece that contradicts the Castros regime. In Venezuela, the media has been yet to be hit with an intense censorship belt from Chavez's government but it is occurring slowly through out different television channels and newspapers.

Daniel Ellsberg was a hero in his time and a role model for many journalists. Today, Wikileaks protects men and women like Ellsberg who have a claim to make but fear for their safety.