Peter Arnett's Treason

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses "Peter Arnett's Treason," an article by John Podhoretz, which discusses the potential danger that flawed reporting can have on the war effort as seen in Iraq.The paper reports that Podhoretz uses the Constitution to argue the case against Peter Arnett's actions, maintaining that it could be construed as treason and outlining the technical implications of this case with regards to the constitution and professional obligation. This author believes that Arnett is entitled to free speech within his constitutional right; in a profession where reporting the facts and adding analysis has far-reaching effects, Arnett erroneously offered personal opinion on the assumption that he was acting within his constitutional rights.

From the Paper:

"Furthermore, though Podhoretz is aware that Arnett can never be tried for treason with the added clarity to the definition of treason in modern times, he nevertheless implies that the logical and extra-legal factors make Arnett quite guilty of treason. To back this up, he gives us the example of how Arnett's attitude resembles those of Leonard Downie, the editor of The Washington Post, who says that he simply doesn't vote - because to vote would be to challenge his own objective approach to the news. Podhoretz ends by saying Arnett "is a revealer of truths to the world. And he will do so where, when and how he chooses" and he "made a choice that was, quite literally, criminal." [Podhoretz 2003]. It is clear from these statements that Arnett is a true reporter, far from being bias he has been objective throughout his career. If, according to Podhoretz, Arnett being objective is criminal; then, YES, he has committed a crime with those statements. Arnett's adherence to reporting discipline and integrity to both his country and profession cannot be doubted as anything but remarkable."

More papers on Peter Arnett's Treason:

• Essay # 21838 : "Peter Arnett's "Live from the Battlefield"
• Book Review # 135917 : "Treason by the Book"
• Analytical Essay # 135891 : "J. Spence's "Treason by the Book"

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