Spring Break
ECU celebrates Constitution Week
Highlights freedom of speech
Natalie Jurgen
Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: News
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"We organized a task group of experts from the academic community and staff to choose the theme and our group came up with the First Amendment," said David Conde, ECU senior associate vice chancellor for Special Initiatives and chair of the Constitution Celebration planning committee.
According to Conde, the theme was chosen because issues regarding freedom of speech arise in the daily lives of students. Activities were designed around issues concerning online communication, censorship, academic freedom, free speech zones and student media.
Throughout the week, ECU will engage in a multitude of Constitution-related activities.
The week kicked off with keynote speaker George Freeman, vice president and assistant general counsel to the New York Times. Freeman has served as the chief litigator for the newspaper since 1992.
"Mr. Freeman was recommended by our task group," Conde said. "The New York Times is what we would consider a key media outlet in the country and one of the most prestigious newspapers."
Freeman's presentation stressed the importance of free speech and highlighted two key stories and how they relate to first amendment law in the press.
The first was about a New York Times writer, Judy Miller, who was sentenced to 85 days in jail for refusing to testify on an anonymous source when she was subpoenaed by the government. The second was about the Pentagon Papers case, which has been the greatest battle between the press and the government, according to Freeman.
Freeman also gave students advice about how to publish information legally.
"There are times when the issues are real enough that one does in fact need to consult a lawyer," Freeman said. "Often times, however, it is possible to consult a committee or association that will be able to answer your questions. The important thing is to have the knowledge to know when you're in enough trouble and will need legal help."
On Sept.16, the roundtable forum, "Freedom of Speech: The Core First Amendment Protection," will be held at 6 p.m. in Great Rooms 2 and 3 in Mendenhall.
The discussion will be moderated by Nancy Spalding, political science professor at ECU and will include a wide variety of panelists. Speakers will include Andrew Griffin, Student Government Association president; Paul Isom, advisor to ECU Student Media; Peter Romary, attorney-at-law and director of Student Legal Services, in addition to a number of ECU professors.
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