But if they gave in to the threat, how did the newspapers know the bomber would keep his word — or whether other terrorists would make such demands in the future?
In September of that year, at the urging of the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the newspapers decided to publish.
The manifesto provided critical clues to his identity, and six months and two weeks later, the Unabomber — Theodore Kaczynski, who died in a federal prison cell on Saturday — was captured.
But to many in the profession, acceding to Mr. Kaczynski’s demands set a terrible precedent, undermining journalistic independence and doing the bidding of law enforcement.
“They really made a pact with the devil when they have no control ultimately over what he will do or not do.”
Persons:
— Theodore Kaczynski, —, acceding, Kaczynski’s, ”, Jane Kirtley, “
Organizations:
Washington Post, The New York Times, Industrial Society, Its, Justice Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Post, Times, Freedom, Press