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A visit with Christina Wells, Professor of Law
Published: September 13, 2007 - Topics:
deference
accountability
civil_liberties
fear_and_prejudice
government_decision-making
Additional Interview Clips
Freedom of speech, freedom of information, constitutional law
The benefit of the first amendment
How fear and prejudice negatively impact governmental decision-making
Federal law that limits protests at funerals
The internet’s role in shaping public opinion
Primary research for Wells
How Wells found her way from chemistry to law
The law casebook Wells is co-authoring
The dangers of excessive government secrecy
Topics:
classified_information
executive_prerogative
Wells’ research reveals that the current Bush administration “has used secrecy very broadly without justifying why it wants to keep things secret.” “That’s a very dangerous thing to have happen,” she cautions, “because then you literally have no accountability,” and history has shown the sometimes devastating consequences of this scenario.