A Historic Context

To understand a little more on the patriot act and its effects on the media, one must understand its historic context. Craig R. Smith, a professor at California State University Long Beach put together an article called The Patriot Act in Historic Context that follows how accurate accounts in the nations history which have lead to the tampering of our civil liberties.

Though the patriot act seems to be something new that is affecting us today, there are many similar government actions that have affected civilians and the first amendment in some way. The government did what eve they could to fight external threat to the country. Many times affecting peoples rights by treating them as if they were part of the problem. This included blacks, foreign ethnicities, even journalists and activists. This lead to even more suppression, allowing laws and rulings that influenced the constitution.

There was a pattern that happen all through U.S. history and affected many people on the way. Examples include the McCarty era, where many citizens lost their right when the government blacklisted them as communists. Or even Alien Sedition Acts, which John Adams helped pass in earlier history, which caused Newspaper editors, protesters and even a congressman to be jailed, Smith said.

To Read The Patriot Act in Historic Context click here.