"The press should be censored in times of crisis."

My reading selection is pro and is called "The Press Should Not Be Censored During Times of Crisis."

Three things that support the pro position:

1. "The only effective restraint upon executive policy and power. . .may lie in an enlightened citizenry."
2. "Paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving people."
3. "The stakes are high. America's great strength has been produced by an open society, where every policy was subject to great debate."

I don't think the press should be censored because I think people have the right to know the truth. Also in the First Amendment it says "that the Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. . ." (Amendment I, page 127). Therefore, the press has every right to give the people the truth, whether people want to believe or not. And people have the right to determine whether they want to believe the press or not. Also, in Viewpoint there is a quote "A press that is alert, aware and free most vitally serves the basic purpose of the First Amendment. For without an informed and free press there cannot be an enlightened citizenry" (page 48) which backs up what the First Amendment says about the press and it also brings up another point about the purpose of the press. The purpose of the press is to be able to write down what is actually happening and citizens should be able to decide whether they want to know about the information the press is giving them. It is each person's choice whether to listen or read what the press is saying.