To the Point
National Security, Government 'Spin' and the First Amendment
The Obama Administration is accused of abusing press freedom by seizing AP phone records. Can new technology protect the press and their sources from government intrusion?
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenThe Obama Administration's accused of abusing press freedom by seizing Associated Press phone records. Was that really necessary to protect American lives? Should reporters go back to meeting sources on shaded park benches or can new technology protect them and their sources from government intrusion and hackers who've spread false messages? Also, Capitol Hill begins hearing on IRS misconduct, and the summer movie season begins. Get ready for blockbusters and R-rated comedies.
Banner image: US Attorney General Eric Holder testifies before a House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington May 15, 2013. Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters
In this episode
3 storiesFirst Capitol Hill Hearing on IRS Misconduct
As the first of four committees of Congress took up the IRS targeting of conservative "social welfare" groups, fired IRS Commissioner Steven Miller called the actions "obnoxious." That wasn't good enough for Republicans. Jonathan Weisman is Congressional reporter for the New York Times .
Read the story8 minNational Security, Government 'Spin' and the First Amendment
Last Friday, the Associated Press learned that the Justice Department had obtained records for more than 20 separate telephone lines" for reporters' office phones, home phones and cell phones. Despite regulations that require negotiations to protect First Amendment rights, the records were seized in secret.
Read the story35 minSummer Movies: Small Gems and a Wave of Comedies
The summer movie season is getting underway, featuring Superman and wars of the future. But the big money may be in comedies that are not either light romance or family fare. Comedies are inexpensive to make and enormously profitable, and it turns out that films aimed at rowdy teenagers also appeal to adult men, women and audiences overseas.
Read the story8 min
