SNAFU with Ed Helms S2E1: The Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI
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Jul 10, 2024 Betty Medsger, a Washington Post reporter known for receiving pivotal classified documents, reveals the audacious 1971 heist that exposed the FBI's troubling surveillance methods. She discusses the ethical dilemmas faced by journalism when publishing stolen government documents, and the dramatic shift in public perception of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover. Medsger shares her experiences with government authority and the personal toll of uncovering the truth about corruption, highlighting the vital role of citizen advocacy in safeguarding civil liberties.
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The FBI Heist on Fight Night
- Four ordinary people broke into an FBI office on a major boxing fight night, stealing confidential files unnoticed.
- Their daring act began a chain of events exposing deep FBI secrets to the public.
Betty Medsger's Unexpected Envelope
- Betty Medsger, a young Washington Post reporter, received a mysterious envelope containing stolen FBI files.
- She worked in a small shared newsroom known for its dense cigarette smoke and bustling atmosphere.
FBI Secret Surveillance Exposed
- FBI documents revealed extensive surveillance on black students and activists, creating endemic paranoia.
- The agency operated a Stasi-like infiltration on American citizens unknown outside the Bureau.