Media

• Press Releases   •  Media Clips   •  Newsletters •  Downloads

Press Releases

• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000
• Archives

Panel Calls for Reasoned Debate on Civil Liberties in the Information Age

11 February, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2003

Panel Calls for Reasoned Debate on Civil Liberties in the Information Age

Arlington, VA -- A panel of experts brought together by The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies says “reasoned debate” on issues of civil liberties in the information age is critical.

The four world-renowned specialists in this area included Dr. Amitai Etzioni, author of The Limits of Privacy. Dr. Etzioni noted, “extremism from either side is only counterproductive.” Etzioni went on to say, “ Language of extremism only hinders development of reasonable policies.” Etzioni is a professor at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Eleanor Hill, a partner in the Washington law firm of King & Spalding, was recently selected by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to serve as the Staff Director for the bicameral, bi-partisan Joint Inquiry into the events related to the September 11th terrorist attacks. Ms. Hill noted that although results of the Joint Inquiry are largely classified she is working to declassify large portions of it. Ms. Hill pointed out that a lack of awareness of critical, relevant information in the possession of various agencies of government —not a lack of information—was one of the failings that led to our vulnerability on September 11th.

Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) in Washington, noted that the U.S. government is based on a system of checks and balances to prevent abuses that can result from concentrations of power, even when its justified in times of war. Rotenberg also welcomed the platform that The Potomac Institute provided for this debate. Richard Perle is currently Chairman of the Defense Policy Board and a Research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. Perle underscored the broadly held view that another attack on America is not a matter of if, but when. He urged policy makers to err on the side of safety of American citizens. Perle recalled that he predicted a catastrophic attack on America back in 1997.

The Potomac Institute, a Washington think tank known for its 'fierce objectivity,' has taken on the task of shepherding a national debate on this critically important question. Project Guardian will pursue an objectively comprehensive and informative, nonpartisan understanding of privacy and security relationships, particularly in the era of computer and communication technology.

The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit public policy research institute, and is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies that advocate and manage the increasing role of science and technology in our evolving world. The Potomac Institute fiercely maintains objectivity and credibility, remaining independent of any federal or state agency, and owing no special allegiance to any single political party or private concern.