Speakers disagree about health of First Amendment

By Warren Watson
J-Ideas Director

INDIANAPOLIS – The state’s governor and the editor of the state’s largest newspaper yesterday disagreed about the state of the First Amendment while speaking at a student journalism symposium sponsored by the Indiana High School Press Association at the State House Rotunda.

Gov. Mitch Daniels, keynote speaker at the First Amendment Symposium before a crowd of 200 high school students, teachers and others, said the First Amendment “is in good shape, better than ever.” He said the Internet and cable television have created niche stations, blogs and other forms of online speech that allow citizens to reach new audiences.

But Dennis Ryerson, editor of The Indianapolis Star, said some state institutions are moving to restrict free speech. He cited the recent attempts by the Indiana High School Athletic Association to restrict how news organizations can use photographs taken at IHSAA-sanctioned sports events.

“High school games are held in public buildings. If they try to limit us, I will not stand for that as a newspaper editor,” said Ryerson.

Moderator Rafael Sanchez of WRTV toses a question to the First Amendment panel. The panel included (from left): John Krull, director of the Pulliam School of Journalism at Franklin College; Indianapolis Star Editor Dennis Ryerson; Warren Watson, director of Ball State’s J-Ideas and Jack Dvorak, director of the High School Journalism Institute at Indiana University. Photo by Clark Hadley

The Star editor encouraged student journalists to embrace the First Amendment. “Don’t take it for granted,” he said. Ryerson also pointed out that the First Amendment protects more than just the news media.

“Ever think that the First Amendment allows you to listen to your music?” Ryerson said. “To watch the movies that you want?”

Ryerson was joined on a panel debating the state of the First Amendment by Warren Watson, director of Ball State’s J-Ideas; John Krull, director of the Pulliam School of Journalism at Franklin College; Jack Dvorak, director of the High School Journalism Institute at Indiana University; and Rafael Sanchez, WRTV Channel 6 news reporter.

The governor, speaking at the symposium for the second year in a row, encouraged students to take free speech seriously. He said he was disappointed that some schools discourage free speech and inquiry.

The symposium, held in 2007 for the first time and initiated by IHSPA to punctuate the importance of scholastic journalism and First Amendment awareness, also included a tribute to the late David Adams, longtime Indiana University journalism teacher and student media advocate.