Student Media is hosting a virtual First Amendment Awareness Days event next week to talk about the protective rights in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and how they relate to current events and topics.
The events are Monday, April 26, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 27, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 29, 1:20 to 2:35 p.m., and Friday, April 30, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Each day has a designated topic and credible guest speakers who have experience in their fields with the given topic.
Monday’s event, titled “Religious Freedom: A Contested Ideal” will involve a presentation and Q&A discussion on the freedoms of religion and the diversity of religion and features guest speaker Tammy Heise, an assistant professor of American religions at the university.
Tuesday’s event “Pressing the Press” is set to have a discussion on the freedom of the press and the conflicts that arise in the field of journalism. Guest speakers include former managing editor of the Laramie Boomerang Joel Funk and editor of the Casper Star Tribune Josh Wolfson.
“We take for granted our First Amendment rights, and every time you could have a conversation about why they’re important, that’s a great thing,” Wolfson said. “I think anything that celebrates such an important part of our constitution is great.”
Wolfson said he is anticipating a discussion on the interactions between local newspapers and local and state governments.
“The free press must be a source of verified information that will benefit society, even in the face of attacks from critics,” Funk said. “I’m very excited to speak with some of the people whose bylines I may be seeing in the coming months and years.”
Funk said he plans to speak the freedom of the press in the age of misinformation and his experience working with officials and institutions to obtain information.
Thursday’s event “Rights, Revolution, and Rock and Roll” will feature a presentation from Ken Paulson, the director of the Free Speech Center at the College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University, on the First Amendment as a whole.
“I’m always pleased to spend some time with the next generation talking about the role of the first amendment and free society. Many Americans are constitutionally illiterate, and a full third of Americans cannot name a single freedom of the first amendment,” Paulson said. “We need to understand and appreciate these freedoms.”
On Friday, the final event of First Amendment Awareness Days titled “Peaceful Assembly in the Era of the Vietnam War and the Black 14” will focus on freedom of assembly through personal accounts. Mel Hamilton, a member of the Black 14, will speak at the event.
For more information on First Amendment Awareness Days and featured guest speakers, please visit the following link: http://www.uwbrandingiron.com/first-amendment-awareness-days/
