Freedom of the Press: A Cornerstone of Democracy
Brynne GormanLWVMA is pleased to announce the next program, in the Democracy in Everyday Life Series: “Freedom of the Press: A Cornerstone of Democracy.” The focus of this conversation is the meaning of the First Amendment and whether the Free Press is really free. The program was privately recorded at NewTV in Newton, MA and will premiere on Youtube, here, starting Friday, June 5 at 6:30 est. Viewers are encouraged to use this Study Guide as they watch the program.
Panelists
Dan Kennedy is a professor in the School of Journalism at Northeastern University and a nationally known media commentator. He is the author of three books on the future of journalism, most recently What Works in Community News (2024), with Ellen Clegg. He writes frequently about local news and other topics for his blog, Media Nation (dankennedy.net), as well as other publications, and is panelist on Beat the Press with Emily Rooney, formerly on GBH-TV and now posting new episodes at scottvanvoorhis.substack.com. Dan is a recipient of the Yankee Quill Award from the New England Academy of Journalists and the James W. Carey Journalism Award from the Media Ecology Association.
Steph Solis is co-author of the Axios Boston newsletter, which launched four years ago this month. They are also president of the New England chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a member of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists. They cover state government, business policy, small businesses, immigration and other issues affecting Boston-area residents.
Sarah Stone is the National Field Director at Free Press. Sarah oversees Free Press’ civic-media field strategy, which aims to pass public policies that transform local news and create equitable access to civic information. Prior to joining Free Press, Sarah worked as the deputy director of strategic advocacy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, where she built a grassroots network advancing federal policy change across at 50 states. She also worked as a correspondent and associate editor for WagingNonviolence.org. Sarah holds an M.A. in human rights and democracy in Southeast Europe from the University of Sarajevo and a B.A. in international affairs from George Washington University.
Marlene O’Brien serves as Secretary of the Massachusetts League and on the Steering Comm. of the National League of Women Voters’ Immigration Discussion Group. She has been active on the League’s local, state, and national boards and as moderator of candidates and issues forums. With an AB and JD from Harvard Univ., Marlene is a lawyer and writer currently focused on international humanitarian affairs, democracy, women’s issues, and ethics.
