Content Area
The press is sometimes called "the 4th branch of government" or "the 4th estate". Describe how press protections are enshrined in the Constitution. Describe the relationship between whistleblowers and media outlets? Investigate other whistleblowers, such as Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning, who have changed the course of American history?
Since Watergate, political scandals, as well as sports and celebrity scandals, have come to be given "-gate" nicknames. The media does this as a shorthand way of implying a serious legal and ethical breach of conduct has happened. Research a variety of recent "-gate" scandals. How involved was the press in uncovering the story? Did serious consequences result from the media coverage OR was the "-gate" scandal an attempt to embarrass or discredit someone, such as Suitgate in 2014?
The spying on American citizens by intelligence agencies during this time deeply angered people. How were practices changed at intelligence agencies to protect the constitutional rights of US citizens after Watergate? How did the Patriot Act, enacted after the 9/11 tragedy, change American citizen's rights to privacy? Research the laws in your state to find out if your own private conversations can be legally recorded without your consent by another person.