Professor to address state of free speech

By Austin Schmitt

Forty-five words written in the 18th century may seem small, but for many it represents years of work.

The First Amendment will be the topic of a speech by University of Minnesota professor Jane Kirtley at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium of the W.T. Young Library.

Kirtley is the keynote speaker at the Scripps Howard First Amendment Center’s annual First Amendment Celebration, which takes place Tuesday and Wednesday.

During her speech Tuesday, Kirtley will discuss recent threats to journalists’ jobs and prospects of favorable changes in the future regarding journalists’ rights.

Kirtley, who said she has been a believer in freedom of speech her whole life, called First Amendment rights essential for U.S. citizens.

“If they live in this country, then it’s important,” said Kirtley, director of the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. “Some people say students are not connected,” she said. “I don’t believe this; youths are the stakeholders of the future. Free flow of expression is an essential key to life. If you are living, you should care.”

The State of the First Amendment Address coincides with UK’s celebration of Constitution Day on Wednesday.

Kirtley will sit on a panel Wednesday morning and discuss the effects the evolving media, such as the Internet, have on the protections of the First Amendment. The panel will also discuss the possibility of bloggers gaining the same protections and privileges that print and broadcast journalists hold.

Despite the controversy around bloggers, Kirtley stressed the importance of having the ability to freely express thoughts and ideas.

“Everybody understands and wants the right to say what they think. Development of the Internet reminds us every day that we should be able to speak freely,” Kirtley said. “In my mind, it’s the basis for the flow of democratic values and a key to participation in society.”

Mike Farrell, director of the Scripps Howard First Amendment Center, expressed the importance of understanding the issues surrounding the First Amendment today.

“All of us need to be concerned about what the First Amendment means to us and be vigilant protectors of our rights,” said Farrell, an assistant professor at UK. “The First Amendment has provided, more or less, protection throughout our history and Americans have to be vigilant about it.
“Jane is one of the foremost advocates. This is a great opportunity for the students.”