Terrorism v Free Speech & Democracy: A Dialogue On Spain's 'Pais Vasco'

What is the impact of domestic terrorism on the civic life of a country? How does the threat of violence affect free speech and a free press? Where is the line between a legitimate push for independence on the part of a region versus the hijacking of the population by armed separatists? And how have the tactics of domestic armed separatists as well as the response of authorities changed over time –particularly in the post-9/11 era?

These were some of the issues that the Journalism Program’s Mark Hallett explored with Spanish Ambassador to the United States Javier Ruperez July 9th at the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum’s sixth Table of Nations event. Ruperez, a veteran politician, author and member of the Spanish diplomatic corps – as well as a former victim of kidnapping – was willing to share some of his own experience and observations from more than four decades in public life. For an MTFM blog item on this dinner discussion, click here: http://fanningtheflames.blogspot.com/2008/07/table-of-nations-spainpais-vasco.html. To learn more about upcoming Table of Nations dinners and other MTFM events, visit the Museum’s Web site at www.freedommuseum.us.