The New York Times published in 1971 the "Pentagon Papers" documents that collected classified information about the Vietnam War. With its publication generated a huge debate on freedom of expression and administration Nixon obtained a court order that forced the Times to cease publication. The Washington Post took the witness. Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) the executive editor of The Washington Post published more revelations of the report and other newspapers joined the cause. Finally, the New York Times and The Washington Post accepted the first amendment in front of the Supreme Court.