Dedication

 

The 9/11 Consensus Panel Dedicates its Work to:

 

The purpose of government

The U.S. Declaration of Independence states:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

 

The responsibility of the media

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) states that “respect for truth and for the right of the public to truth is the first duty of the journalist.”

The IFJ defines press freedom as:

“that freedom from restraint which is essential to enable journalists, editors, publishers and broadcasters to advance the public interest by publishing, broadcasting or circulating facts and opinions without which a democratic electorate cannot make responsible judgments.”

The American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) states that:

“Freedom of the press belongs to the people. It must be defended against encroachment or assault from any quarter, public or private. Journalists must be constantly alert to see that the public’s business is conducted in public. They must be vigilant against all who would exploit the press for selfish purposes.”

 

Words from the Wise

 

Mahatma Gandhi

“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self sustained.”

 

John F. Kennedy

“We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.”

 

Martin Luther King

“A lie cannot live.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”

 

Thomas Jefferson

“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”

 

Yoko Ono

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”