Recently, the MSNBC special report “Rise of the New Right: A Hardball Documentary with Chris Matthews” took a hard look at the current surge of of rightwing anger and anti-government fervor — a trend I’ve documented since the election of Barack Obama as president. On June 16, I reported on the original cablecast of the documentary. Now, in a 6-day period, I’m featuring a different segment of the six-part series each day. Today’s segment concludes this important series.

“Rise of the New Right” — Part 6: How the New Right Exploits the Media

The New Right uses talk radio, cable television, and the Internet to spread conspiracy theories and to create a climate of fear and anger. (10:36)

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Related video

Rise of the New Right: More of the Alex Jones Interview (June 11, 2010) — Radio host Alex Jones discusses his beliefs on the role of government and the growth of the militia movement. (06:30)

Rise of the New Right: Oath Keeper Steward Rhodes — On October 20, 2009, Steward Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthews to discuss his worry about the current size of the U.S. government. (13:09)

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Related reports on this site

Extremism Rises in America (June 16, 2010)

The growing fear among some citizens of losing their rights and freedoms has created a political backlash toward the U.S. government and manifested itself in violent rhetoric and anti-government groups who want to “take their country back.” Chris Matthews takes a hard look at the recent surge of anger on the political right in “Rise of the New Right: A Hardball Documentary with Chris Matthews” on MSNBC.

“Rise of the New Right” — Part 1 (July 7, 2010)

“Rise of the New Right” — Part 2 (July 8, 2010)

“Rise of the New Right” — Part 3 (July 9, 2010)

“Rise of the New Right” — Part 4 (July 10, 2010)

“Rise of the New Right” — Part 5 (July 11, 2010)

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — July 12, 2009

Iraqi security forces stand guard outside one of several Christian churches that were bombed in Baghdad on Sunday, July 12, 2009. (Photo credit: Hadi Mizban / AP)

Christian Cleansing in Iraq

One-year retrospective: One year ago today, I reported that six Baghdad-area churches were bombed within 24 hours on July 11-12, 2009, killing at least four people and wounding 32. Iraq has lost more than half of the 1.4 million Christians who once called it home, mostly since the war began in 2003, and few who fled have plans to return.