Breaking the Set Season 2 Episode 9 Congress Redefines Journalism, Rocky Andersons Red Line to Impeach Obama
- TV-PG
- September 13, 2013
In season 2, episode 9 of Breaking the Set, titled "Congress Redefines Journalism, Rocky Andersons Red Line to Impeach Obama," host Abby Martin delves into the changing landscape of journalism and the controversial topic of impeaching President Obama.
The episode opens with Martin discussing the recent passing of the Free Flow of Information Act by Congress and its implications for journalists and whistleblowers. She interviews journalist Matthew Harwood, who expresses concern that the bill actually does little to protect journalists and could potentially harm whistleblowers by limiting their protections. Martin also speaks with the founder of the Whistleblower Protection Program, Tom Devine, who points out that the bill does not provide legal consequences for security officials who violate journalists' rights.
Next, Martin shifts to the topic of impeaching President Obama. She introduces Rocky Anderson, a former mayor of Salt Lake City and founder of the Justice Party, who has publicly called for Obama's impeachment. Anderson argues that Obama has committed numerous crimes, including violations of international and domestic law, and has failed to protect whistle-blowers. Anderson lays out a "red line" for impeaching Obama, citing specific examples of constitutional violations and arguing that impeachment is necessary to hold the executive branch accountable.
Martin interviews constitutional law expert Bruce Fein, who agrees with Anderson's assessment and highlights the importance of the impeachment process in maintaining the balance of power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. However, Fein also notes the difficulty of actually impeaching a sitting president, given the partisan nature of Congress and the political will required for such a move.
Throughout the episode, Martin also explores the role of the media in covering issues related to government accountability and encourages viewers to critically examine the news they consume. She discusses the limitations of mainstream news outlets in covering topics such as government surveillance and the war on drugs, and suggests that alternative media sources may provide more comprehensive coverage.
In conclusion, "Congress Redefines Journalism, Rocky Andersons Red Line to Impeach Obama" is a thought-provoking and insightful episode of Breaking the Set that tackles controversial issues related to government accountability and journalistic freedom. Through interviews with experts and advocates, Martin encourages viewers to engage with important topics and to think critically about the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of government activities.