The Constitution Project’s Liberty and Security Initiative, launched soon after the terrorist attacks of September 11, recently released a report detailing the effects that policies adopted in response to the terrorist threat have on the First Amendment. The report, and its various signatories, clearly recognize and support the federal government’s objective to protect Americans from terrorist threats, attacks, and activities. However, the Initiative members also acknowledge the vital importance of the fundamental rights and values protected by the First Amendment.

Last week, The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania held a conference entitled, “Sharing and Protecting Homeland Security Information -- Avoiding Conflict Between the Media and the Government.”