To the Point
Truth, Treason and the War on Terror
After embarrassing revelations in the media in recent months about warrantless wiretaps and secret CIA prisons, the Bush Administration is warning journalists they could be tried as spies for the stories they write, and trying to ferret out government employees who are leaking classified information. Media watchers say it's the broadest and most overt campaign against leaks in a generation. Should journalists be tried as spies? What about their sources? Is the government over-reacting? What are the implications for the information that Americans have access to about their government's activities during wartime? Guest host Sara Terry looks weighs the balance between a free press and national security during war time. Making News: Rumsfeld Says Iraqi Forces to Lead in Event of Civil WarDonald Rumsfeld testified on Capitol Hill today in support of the administration's request for emergency funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, amid growing concerns about sectarian violence and the possibility of civil war in Iraq. The Defense Secretary said that in the event of a civil war, the US would depend on Baghdad's own security forces to deal with the conflict. William Arkin is military affairs analyst for NBC and online columnist for the Washington Post.Reporter's Notebook: Sale of Knight Ridder and the Future of Print JournalismIn November, a for-sale sign went up at the country's second-largest chain. Today is the deadline for bidders, and media analysts are keeping a watchful eye on who makes an offer for Knight Ridder's 32-paper chain, which includes the San Jose Mercury-News, Philadelphia Inquirer and Miami Herald. Journalism Professor Philip Knight says who offers to buy, and how much they pay, could say a lot about the future of newspapers.
After embarrassing revelations in the media in recent months about warrantless wiretaps and secret CIA prisons, the Bush Administration is warning journalists they could be tried as spies for the stories they write, and trying to ferret out government employees who are leaking classified information. Media watchers say it's the broadest and most overt campaign against leaks in a generation. Should journalists be tried as spies? What about their sources? Is the government over-reacting? What are the implications for the information that Americans have access to about their government's activities during wartime? Guest host Sara Terry looks weighs the balance between a free press and national security during war time.
Rumsfeld Says Iraqi Forces to Lead in Event of Civil War
Donald Rumsfeld testified on Capitol Hill today in support of the administration's request for emergency funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, amid growing concerns about sectarian violence and the possibility of civil war in Iraq. The Defense Secretary said that in the event of a civil war, the US would depend on Baghdad's own security forces to deal with the conflict. William Arkin is military affairs analyst for NBC and online columnist for the Washington Post.
Sale of Knight Ridder and the Future of Print Journalism
In November, a for-sale sign went up at the country's second-largest chain. Today is the deadline for bidders, and media analysts are keeping a watchful eye on who makes an offer for Knight Ridder's 32-paper chain, which includes the San Jose Mercury-News, Philadelphia Inquirer and Miami Herald. Journalism Professor Philip Knight says who offers to buy, and how much they pay, could say a lot about the future of newspapers.
Sara Terry is an award-winning writer and photographer, Her latest photo-documentary project is
Aftermath: Bosnia's Long Road to Peace.
Senate Appropriations Committee hearings on Iraq War, Rumsfeld's testimony
Secretary of State Rice's testimony
James Risen's State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration