New York Times Co. v. United States 1971
Could the government stop newspapers from publishing the classified Pentagon Papers?
403 U.S. 713 (1971)Speech and press
- The question
- Could the government stop newspapers from publishing the classified Pentagon Papers?
- What the Court held
- No. The government did not meet the heavy burden required to justify prior restraint.
- The vote
- 6–3. Per curiam, with each Justice writing separately.
- Read the opinion
- 403 U.S. 713 (1971), full text
This page summarizes the Court’s judgment in neutral terms. The opinion, concurrences and dissents are the authority; read them for the reasoning.