The Post

In June of 1971, major U.S. newspapers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, took a courageous stand in favor of freedom of the press by reporting on the Pentagon Papers and the massive government cover-up of secrets that had lasted four decades and four American presidencies. At that time, Katharine Graham, the Post's first female publisher, and editor Ben Bradlee were trying to revive a declining newspaper. Together they made the bold decision to back The New York Times and fight the Nixon Administration's attempt to restrict the First Amendment. Based on the Post documents that contained classified information about the Vietnam War.