The prison industry is a multi billion dollar industry.  At what cost to our rights under the constitution?  How much does this enormous industry affect policy from the federal level on down? Does it erode our sense of what it means to be American and free? 

The prison industry is a multi billion dollar industry.  At what cost to our rights under the constitution?  How much does this enormous industry affect policy from the federal level on down? Does it erode our sense of what it means to be American and free? 

What is a reporter?  Should they be jailed for refusing to name their sources?  States have laws that protect reporters in various ways.   Congress is poised to decide who would be protected under the new Free Flow of Information Act - also known as the Federal Shield Act.  Guests for the show include Clint Brewer who is director of the Society for Professional Journalists; Oregon's next attorney general - John Kroger; and Torrid Joe from Loaded Orygun joined us in the studio.

What is a reporter?  Should they be jailed for refusing to name their sources?  States have laws that protect reporters in various ways.   Congress is poised to decide who would be protected under the new Free Flow of Information Act - also known as the Federal Shield Act.  Guests for the show include Clint Brewer who is director of the Society for Professional Journalists; Oregon's next attorney general - John Kroger; and Torrid Joe from Loaded Orygun joined us in the studio.

A fanciful, non-partisan radio play depicting four believable, if exaggerated characters carrying out a nationwide strategy to throw the US elections in 2012.  Using real news clips, interviews, and informational resources, We The People presents you with an image of the motivations and the tactics which could be present in any democracy where the citizens have forgotten their duty to protect the process.

Suitable for the entire family. 

Part 1: 27 Min

A fanciful, non-partisan radio play depicting four believable, if exaggerated characters carrying out a nationwide strategy to throw the US elections in 2012.  Using real news clips, interviews, and informational resources, We The People presents you with an image of the motivations and the tactics which could be present in any democracy where the citizens have forgotten their duty to protect the process.

Suitable for the entire family. 

Part 2: 24 Min

Soon after taking office, President Obama called the economic crisis a matter of national security.  On this episode of We the People, we explore the link between national security and domestic policy.

Words can be used to communicate ideas between people, to describe things we can't point to.  Words can also be used to separate and manipulate.  This happens in our media all the time.  Remember when the prior administration talked about "spreading democracy"?  

This was a divisive choice of words - some of us think - hooray! spreading democracy! pass the popcorn!  to others, sounds a little like cultural imperialism.

In this edition of We The People, we explore the art of investigative journalism and its role in democracy.  Is investigative journalism on the decline?  What are the economic and political interests behind this decline?  Will the internet be able to replace the void left as larger news corporations reduce the resources spent in investigative reporting?  To explore these questions, Joanne interviewed Ken Silverstein of Harper’s Magazine; and joining us live in the studio was Beth Slovic, reporter for the Willamette Week and independent journalist Chris Lydgate.