--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I’ve been an investigative reporter for a…" description: "\"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 secur..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/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… ![“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/quotes/i/ce6/james-risen-62906_boys_i-ve-been-an-investigative-reporter-for_1147779.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce6/james-risen-62906_boys_i-ve-been-an-investigative-reporter-for_1147779.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/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.” [James Risen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-risen/) ## 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Cried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cried/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Getting old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-old/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-says-1362142/) [Investigative Reporter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investigative-reporter-249637/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [National security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-security/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Publish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publish/) [Publish National](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publish-national-3229515/) [Reporters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reporters/) [Risk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk/) [Risk Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk-write-3229513/) [Says Publish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/says-publish-3229514/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [If we don't risk it all, we may as well not write at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-stuart/if-we-don-t-risk-it-all-we-may-as-well-not-write-at-all/) [Anne Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-stuart/) > [I think it's a greater risk not to write about 9\\11. If you're in my position - a New Yorker who felt the event…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/i-think-it-s-a-greater-risk-not-to-write-about-9-11-if-you-re-in-my/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. 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As opposed to if you get to keep the money.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/of-all-the-wonderful-things-government-says-that-s-always-been-just/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [When the government says we're going to build something on behalf of the community, we do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-berejiklian/when-the-government-says-we-re-going-to-build-something-on-behalf-of/) [Gladys Berejiklian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-berejiklian/) > [Every government says they love small businesses, but what have they done for them? 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