The Heat on privacy and freedom in democracies

The Heat

Until late Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. government remained locked in a showdown over surveillance of its citizens. Lawmakers failed to renew the controversial Patriot Act and three key provisions expired. Now at the forefront is the USA Freedom Act that passed the U.S. Senate Tuesday. Advocates say it protects both freedom and security, curtailing some of the NSA spy programs. But opponents say it’s just more of the same.

CCTV’s Jim Spellman filed this report.

The Heat began its discussion with the following experts:

  • Shane Harris is the senior intelligence and national security correspondent for The Daily Beast website.
  • Haroon Siddiqui in Toronto is a journalist and former columnist for the Toronto Star.
  • Fred Fleitz is the senior vice president for policy and programs with the Center for Security Policy.
  • Sarah Joseph is the director of the Castan Center for Human Rights Law at Monash University.
  • The Heat continued its discussion on privacy and freedom in some of the world’s largest democracies.