Question

The quote below is an excerpt from the Supreme Court's ruling in New York Times v. United States (1971): "In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors." Which statement supports this ruling?

Answer 1

Incomplete question. Here are the options;

a. Media intrusions into people's privacy threaten individual liberties.

b. An aggressive media serves as a check on the government's power.

c. Citizens need access to reliable news sources in order to be well informed.  

d. Government ownership of news sources threatens freedom and democracy.

Answer:

b. An aggressive media serves as a check on the government's power.

Explanation:

We need to remember that the parties involved in this case are a media organization (New York Times) and the United States (New York Times v. the United States 1971).

By referring to the First Amendment the court sought to establish that freedom of speech should be respected in the country, thus, even an aggressive media such as the New York Times was acting as a check on the government's power, and that their actions were protected by the law.