WINO reporter Mary Achee breaks into the offices of House Speaker I.M. Loude, to steal documents showing Loude received payoffs from state Highway Commissioner Dusty Rhodes. While searching Loude's office, Achee also finds a secret report recommending that recently activated Quarkworth Nuclear Power Plant should not be put into operation because of potentially disastrous design flaws. Law enforcement authorities learn of the proposed stories and seek an injunction to stop publication, arguing there is a "probable danger" of widespread public anxiety and protest. According to clear and present danger, the judge would grant the injunction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The danger is not clear or present, and it is not a substantive evil. Note that there is a "probable danger" (not clear), and the danger is not anything to do with the nuclear issues: it is the fear of public anxiety and protest. That is not sufficient to prevent publication. As for the question of breaking into the offices, that is a red herring. It's irrelevant. In fact the research behind the Pentagon Papers was illegally taken from files.

WINO Reporter Mary Achee Breaks into the Offices of House