I’ve been an investigative reporter for a long time, and…
![“I’ve been an investigative reporter for a long time, and almost always, the government says that [‘you can’t publish that because of the national security risk’] when you write a story. And then they can never back it up. They say that about everything. And it’s like the boy who cried wolf. It’s…” quote by James Risen](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/ce6/james-risen-62906_boys_i-ve-been-an-investigative-reporter-for_1147779.jpg)
“I’ve been an investigative reporter for a long time, and almost always, the government says that [‘you can’t publish that because of the national security risk’] when you write a story. And then they can never back it up. They say that about everything. And it’s like the boy who cried wolf. It’s getting old.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Points out government overuse of national security claims to block reporting, comparing it to the boy who cried wolf, suggesting loss of credibility.
In simple terms: Government often blocks stories citing security, but rarely proves it.
Key Takeaway
Demand evidence when security is invoked.
Themes
media
government
transparency
trust
freedom of press
Mood
skeptical
concerned
Type
advocacy
informative
When to use this quote
- Investigative journalism
- government transparency
- public trust
- policy reform
Key Concepts
National security
press freedom
accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can journalists verify security claims?
- What safeguards protect press freedom?
A Different Perspective
Excessive secrecy can erode trust and hinder accountability.