Category: First Amendment
-
This is unacceptable. Madera County officials inadvertently reveal what their real attitude is about making public records available to journalists.
The First Amendment Coalition and the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State have written a letter to Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler criticizing his ugly response to a journalist for The Fresno Bee, who made a public records request to the county. Journalists act as the public’s representative in making public records…
-
Fresno State’s Media, Communications and Journalism Dept. issues statement supporting journalists, condemning Jan. 6 attack on our democracy
This statement was issued on Tuesday by the faculty of the Media, Communications and Journalism Department at Fresno State: The Department of Media, Communications and Journalism (MCJ) strongly condemns the January 6 mob violence at our nation’s Capitol aimed at blocking the Constitutional duties of our elected representatives. As a department that teaches ethical truth-telling…
-
I am angry that my journalism colleagues regularly face threats of violence while they work to bring you the news
As a veteran journalist who started my career when Richard Nixon was president, I can tell you that there has always been an uneasy relationship between the news media and the people they cover. Over the years, many tried to get me fired when they didn’t like stories that I wrote. I once was physically…
-
Targeting journalists won’t stop them from reporting full story about protests over George Floyd’s death
Every May 3, World Press Freedom Day is celebrated internationally. It’s a day set aside to recognize the importance of an independent press around the world, and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives doing their jobs. The day is mostly aimed at authoritarian regimes, which regularly jail journalists and shut down…
-
Fresno State Media Institute will celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17 with program on the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment
The Institute for Media and Public Trust will sponsor a program on Sept. 17 that is designed to educate Fresno State students on the freedoms that the First Amendment guarantees. There will be several activities to encourage students to learn about these important freedoms during the program that will run from 11 a.m. to 1…
-
On July 4, we celebrate our nation’s founding, and the freedoms that came with it
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, formalizing our separation from Great Britain and creating a new sovereign nation. The Declaration of Independence was the first of three founding documents called the Charters of Freedom. These documents include the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and the three charters laid…
-
Journalists must be able to do their work without police intimidation
The Institute for Media and Public Trust vehemently protests the actions of the San Francisco Police Department in raiding the home of a freelance journalist in an attempt to find out who leaked a sensitive report on the death of the San Francisco public defender. This heavy-handed attempt to discover the identity of a confidential…
-
Fresno State students recognized by Free Speech Center for their project on the First Amendment
Our First Amendment project has been recognized by the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University for a campaign to educate Fresno State students on the five freedoms contained in the First Amendment. The Free Speech Center at MTSU praised the 60 public relations students in the Media, Communications and Journalism Department at Fresno State…
-
Raising the bar — from awareness to action on the First Amendment
Fresh off Sunshine Week, the Institute for Media and Public Trust will hold a free workshop on educating Fresno State students about the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. Media, Communication and Journalism students will unveil their campaign from noon to 2 p.m. on March 26 in Education 140. More than 60 students will present case studies…
-
Democracy and taxpayers suffer when there are fewer local journalists serving as government watchdogs
We’re seeing more journalists being laid off in the news industry, and just about everyone thinks they know why the business model is so broken. But like most issues, the causes are varied and complex, ranging from an industry unwillingness to recognize changing revenue trends, being behind the curve on technology, and thinking that you…
Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State 