New York Times editorial: The bin Laden Tapes: “Having discouraged American

television news organizations from

broadcasting videotapes made by

Osama bin Laden, the White House now

finds itself in the awkward position of weighing what to do with a new

recording that it obviously wants the world to see. It should make the tape

public, as it seems inclined to do. The White House never should have

gotten into the news management business in the first place…

When

information is not to the government’s liking, discouraging broadcast and

publication may seem enticing to officials. But the tables can quickly be

turned, as the White House is now learning. That’s just one of the reasons

why the initiative was misguided. There are other, more important reasons

as well, including an implicit lack of faith in the press freedoms that help

sustain American democracy. News organizations can make their own

judgments about the value of bin Laden tapes. The American people can

certainly handle whatever he has to say. “