Civil War, Lincoln, and the Press

The Restriction of Civil Liberties 

During the Civil War, President Lincoln enforced Union generals to stop newspapers from publishing battle plans. He did this to also prevent those who sided with the Confederacy from leaking information to the South. 

Oftentimes, the press would make the public question Lincoln's competence and his antislavery mission (Holzer, 2014, p. 227). Lincoln hoped that restricting the press would help the North win the war, but it was difficult to do so when many did not appreciate Lincoln infringing on American's constitutional rights to freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Lincoln's Democratic opponents strongly believed that the right to free press and speech should always be absolute, no matter if it led to a revolt of the people (Holzer, 2014, p. 33).

Examples of Infringing on Rights

Many people were not happy to see Lincoln win the presidency, as they knew he would fight for the end of slavery. In December of 1860, the New York Herald claimed that "bloody carnage will inaugurate his presidency" due to the civil war over slavery.

Lincoln had supporters too. After a grand jury in New York and New Jersey, many postmasters collected newspapers that opposed the war. Some newspapers outright named the publications that were against the war in the North. For example, The Christian Ambassador published an article called "Disloyal Religious Newspapers," where the publication named Freeman's Journals as disloyal and supporting the overthrow of the lawful government. 

Later on, the Secretary of State William Seward would order the arrest of an editor for Freeman's Journals for publishing treasonous statements. The editor was held for 11 months and never received a trial during that time. 

Another time, Lincoln ordered the arrest of two reporters for the New York World. He believed they had written false statements that claimed Lincoln signed off on them. Lincoln took his order back once he realized they were not working for the enemy. The Boston Daily Advertiser released an article titled, " The Suspended Journals," not long after Lincoln allowed the journalists to resume publication. In the article, the Boston newspaper shared joy over this news and claimed that other publications agreed that Lincon made a mistake in assuming the two journalists were out to get him. 

Censorship of the Telegraph and the Chaos It Caused

Before the war started, telegraphs had been a new form of technology. With that being said, the telegraph often allowed for communication from reporters on the battlefield. This could allow reporters to share information about strategies and more. Lincoln decided to censor any telegraphs to and from Washington. The Boston Daily Advertiser wrote in 1862 that some prominent journalists supported the military control over telegraph communications. 

An individual's freedom of speech was infringed upon when Clement Vallandigham, a congressman, spoke openly about his thoughts on Burnside’s General Order No. 38. The order stated that any treason that was expressed or implied would not be allowed. Anyone who violated the order would be arrested. The congressman expressed his disgust over the order at a rally held by the Democratic party. He wished for the overthrow of "King Lincoln" and wanted a peaceful solution to the war. 

Burnside ordered that Vallandigham be arrested once he learned of the speech. He was arrested at his home in early May. The Newark Advocate released the charges against Vallandigham soon after his arrest. He was charged with, "Publicly expressing, in violation of General Order No. 38... sympathy for those in arms against the Government of the United States, and declaring disloyal sentiments and opinions, with the object and purpose of weakening the power of the Government in its efforts to suppress an unlawful rebellion” (Newark Advocate). 

Vallandigham was found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment until the end of the war, as this arrest fell under the president's war powers. In fear of portraying the congressman as a martyr due to the rash arrest and sentencing,  Lincoln banished him to the Confederacy instead. 

President's War Powers

Due to the fact that a civil war had never occurred before the Constitution was created, there wasn't any information about how to handle the press and freedom of speech when the country is torn into two.

The Constitution does explain that Congress cannot restrict freedom of speech, but not for the president. But, Lincoln justified his decisions due to the president's power during a war, which is allowed under the Constitution. 

Many criticize Lincoln for doing what he did but claim that it was necessary for the war. Personally, I think Lincoln did infringe on rights reserved for Americans based on the First Amendment. Yes, it must have been frustrating to read about battle plans being leaked, or criticism on the war, or soldiers trading newspapers to enemies, but they're allowed to do all of those things as a citizen of America. 

Works Cited

Holzer, H. (2014). Lincoln and the power of the press: The war for public opinion. Simon and Schuster.

Drifting Rapidly to Civil War. (1860, December 24). New York Herald. Retrieved from https://link.gale.com.libproxy.highpoint.edu/apps/doc/GT3003667206/GDCS?u=hpu_main&sid=GDCS&xid=d82e7b0f

Disloyal Religious Newspapers. (1861, September 14). Christian Ambassador, 11(37), 147. Retrieved from https://link.gale.com.libproxy.highpoint.edu/apps/doc/MKASDP354882747/GDCS?u=hpu_main&sid=GDCS&xid=f21e8dc5

The Suspended Journals. (1864, May 24). Boston Daily Advertiser. Retrieved from https://link.gale.com.libproxy.highpoint.edu/apps/doc/GT3006402241/GDCS?u=hpu_main&sid=GDCS&xid=b446417f

"Military Possession of Telegraph Lines." Boston Daily Advertiser, 27 Feb. 1862. Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers, https://link.gale.com.libproxy.highpoint.edu/apps/doc/GT3006372718/GDCS?u=hpu_main&sid=GDCS&xid=2e64a267. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.

Burnside, G., & Richmond, L. (1863, May 22). Sentence of Hon. C. L. Vallandigham. Newark Advocate. Retrieved from https://link.gale.com.libproxy.highpoint.edu/apps/doc/GT3005401975/GDCS?u=hpu_main&sid=GDCS&xid=7de0710b

Megan Twohey and the #MeToo Movement

Megan Twohey

Journohero Part Two 

My Journohero is Megan Twohey who published one of the first articles about Harvey Weinstein and the sexual allegations against him.

The Creator of a Movement

The Decision to be a Journalist

About six or seven years ago, I made the choice to follow the career path of a journalist. Many of my peers were leaning towards careers in education, healthcare, welding, construction, or criminal justice. Out of my graduating class, I was one of the only kids who was pursuing a degree in journalism.

Back in my hometown, journalists weren't and still aren't everyone's cup of tea. If I log onto my Facebook right now, there is a large chance that I will scroll past some article or status criticizing the media and journalists. The photo below is actually a post from my AP Calculus teacher blaming the media for causing panic about COVID-19. 

Obviously, this is just one example of how my town isn't the biggest fan of journalists. I don't want it to seem like I am throwing a pity party about how many look down on journalists. Instead, I wish to explain how many journalists encouraged me to pursue my "unconventional" path. 

If you didn't know, I am a white, straight woman. Because of this, I have more agency than some people. In my eyes, it is my job to use my agency to give a voice to those who are voiceless. As a journalist, I can have a platform to do just that. 

The Movement

In August of 2017, I was starting my sophomore year at HPU. I was finally getting involved with my major and was producing actual stories. At the same time, two female journalists were working on a story that would cause a global movement that would expose sexual predators for who they are.

On October 5, 2017, Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor published the article, "Harvey Weinstein Paid Off Sexual Harassment Accusers for Decades" in The New York Times. Unknown to the general public, the film producer, had been sexually harassing/assaulting women for a long time and had covered up his crimes with money and power.

This story and others like it began the #MeToo movement. This movement was for all the people who had or were being sexually harassed and felt helpless due to their harasser's power or economic status. The Me Too movement gave a voice to people who felt voiceless before speaking out about their abuser.

Twohey's story was published almost three years ago, but #MeToo stories haven't stopped coming. In those three years, she's been able to see Weinstein convicted for his crimes.

Megan Twohey

From Evanston, Illinois, Twohey graduated from Georgetown University in 1998 (only a year after I was born). Both of her parents worked in the media, so the news was in her blood.

In 2009, Twohey's investigative reports were gaining traction in the Chicago Tribune. 

Twohey reported that many police departments in Chicago were failing to test every rape kit that came their way. Due to her story, Illinois became the first state to require testing for every rape kit. Many states followed soon after. 

In 2010, Twohey reported on doctors who were actually convicted of sex crimes or felonies who were still abusing current patients. In a series of stories, Twohey was able to see legislation pass that requires healthcare professionals to have a background check. 

Twohey published an investigative report in Reuter's News about Americans who were finding places to abandon their adopted children through the internet. This story made it to the Nightly News and to the Today Show on NBC. 

In 2016, she published stories about the sexual allegations made about President Trump and continued to publish stories once Trump threatened to sue the NYT. 

In 2017, she and Kantor pursued the accusations made against Weinstein, even though Weinstein had incredible power and reach among the film industry and more. Jeopardizing their careers, the two women published the story that sparked a movement and created voices for thousands. 

The Push to Continue On 

I didn't decide to be a journalist because of Megan Twohey. But, she is one of the many journalists who have spurred me on to be the best journalist I can be. I hope to be half the journalist Twohey is. With her passion for the truth and strength to speak out on topics that people haven't spoken on before, she is the type of journalist I aspire to be. Twohey didn't always have a large audience for her stories, but that didn't stop her from making a difference. From the start of her career, she fought for the truth and saw a real change come from the stories she wrote.