Civil Liberties Programs

The terrible events of September 11, 2001 changed many aspects of U.S. society. Fear, grief, and anger have influenced the responses of individuals, community and national institutions. The official response was an aggressive military stance abroad and a rollback of civil liberties at home that many are arguing has become a war on free speech, critical thinking and political dissent.

National Radio Project is responding to these alarming developments with its Civil Liberties Initiative. The initiative is a collaboration involving concerned media organizations, analysts, funders and grassroots activists working together to inform the public of this growing and dangerous threat to a free and democratic society.

National Radio Project invites the participation of individuals or groups interested in discussing this Initiative - please contact us.

Programs are listed below - click through to descriptions for guest contact information and audio files.

51-07 Investing in Insecurity Along U.S. Borders
In 2006, the Bush Administration’s Secure Border Initiative outsourced the surveillance of all U.S. land borders to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. We will visit the Boeing security site in Arizona and we’ll talk to “No One is Illegal” organizer, Harjap Grewal. View full description

49-06 Liberty and Justice for... Whom?
A look at Bush Administration policies that many contend undermine basic human rights and civil liberties. Has the War on Terror become a War on Freedom? How much should we give up for this war? View full description

23-04 ElectionWatch '04: War on Terror
How communities most impacted by Bush's war on terror will vote in the upcoming 2004 elections. We also look at how the Patriot Act and the war in Iraq are playing a role in the election year. View full description

27-03 Code Red: Status of the Constitution
How FBI data collection without probable cause and secret detentions and deportations of thousands of Arab and Muslim men are in conflict with the Constitution. We'll also hear about Patriot Act II, which expands the government's data collection powers. View full description

17-03 Patriot Act Uncovered: The War on Civil Liberties
The impact of the expanded wiretap and surveillance powers of the USA Patriot Act, new levels of security and surveillance at the Canada-U.S. border, and a U.S. citizen held in federal detention on a terrorism-related conspiracy charge. View full description

9-03 INS Secrets Unveiled: The U.S. War on Immigrants
Correspondents Sarah Olson and Pauline Bartolone examine the treatment of immigrants under new INS policies and practices. We also address whether the rights of U.S. citizens are under threat as well. View full description

38-02 Leading the Way: Post 9/11 Student Activism
A look at an emerging anti-war movement and some of the challenges students face in this post-9/11 era. Second in a two-part series produced in collaboration with Foreign Policy in Focus, a co-sponsor of the First Monday Project 2002. View full description

37-02 Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Terrorists
Civil liberties in this post-9/11 era. First in a two-part series produced in collaboration with Foreign Policy in Focus, a co-sponsor of the First Monday Project 2002. View full description

32-02 The First-Half Amendment: War and Freedom of the Press
How free is the press particularly since the Bush Administration launched its war on terrorism? On this program we hear syndicated columnist Norman Solomon and his take on the media and the First Amendment. View full description

12-02 Taking Liberties: The Attack on Civil Rights in the U.S.
A historical look at the McCarthy era and at the current political climate, which has led to the erosion of civil liberties. View full description