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2020 ANNUAL REPORT annual report 2020

Introduction ...... 3 The Year in Review ...... 4 News and Insights ...... 5 Programming Highlights ...... 5 First Amendment Newsletter ...... 6 Press Coverage ...... 6 1 for All Ad Gallery ...... 8 1 for All Supporters ...... 10 Introduction

BY KEN PAULSON A good high school or university strives to educate students for the future, preparing them for life as professionals, but also as citizens. It’s the latter that proves to be the true challenge. Too many students move into adulthood with only a limited sense of how our country works and a lack of appreciation for the rich experience that living in a democracy provides. That’s troubling because the next generation is in the best position to help us break the pattern of partisanship and rancor that now plagues our nation. The Free Speech Center is a nonpartisan public-policy center at Middle Tennessee State University that works to build understanding of the First Amendment and Bill of Rights through education, information and engagement. We emphasize: • The need to stay truly informed by selecting reliable and trustworthy news sources. • The importance of engaging in society, encouraging constructive change through the exercise of core freedoms. • Recognizing that free speech is a universal value in our society, and that it is most beneficial when coupled with a willingness to listen in a civil and respectful exchange of ideas. To that end, the Free Speech Center: • Provides daily news and insights into free expression, https://mtsu.edu/first- amendment/ and offers a comprehensive repository of First Amendment history and law in its First Amendment Encyclopedia. https://mtsu.edu/first- amendment/encyclopedia • Publishes books, teacher’s guides https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/page/ in-the-classroom and white papers on the Bill of Rights and free expression through its First Amendment Press. • Underwrites and supports programs and events https://mtsu.edu/first-amend- ment/page/2018-19projects on dozens of U.S. campuses each year, all encour- aging the free and respectful exchange of ideas. • Manages extensive social media outreach that incorporates celebrities, pop cul- ture, film and music, all with an eye toward conveying core constitutional princi- ples in an informal, accessible and intriguing way. Thank you for your support.

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 3 the year in review

2020 marked the first full year of operation of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University, and although the pandemic took a toll, the Center was able to maintain a vibrant schedule of programs and educational outreach, including:

The 1 for All campaign, https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/page/ about-1-for-all a nationwide effort to build awareness of the First Amend- ment, received pledges of support from press associations and press clubs in all 50 states. https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/page/supporters These campaigns offer a range of ads, including: • Print and web ads featuring celebrities talking about their favorite First Amendment freedom. https://mtsu.edu/ first-amendment/page/voices For example, country star Brad Paisley talks about freedom of . Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau speaks up for petition, and music legend Loretta Lynn takes a stand for freedom of speech.

• COVID-themed ads remind readers to reject fraudulent messages and posts on social media in favor of “reliable information when we need it most.”

• Other ongoing ads help Americans understand all five freedoms of the First Amendment by focusing on one freedom at a time, succinctly explaining its role in a free society.

• The Free Speech Center also distributed videos promoting the five freedoms and partnered with TV news stations for spots showing newsroom members reciting the 45 words of the First Amendment. https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/page/voices

These ads are published free of charge by The , USA Today and news organizations across the country. All 50 state press associations have endorsed the campaign, and overall the 1 for All initiative generates about 2 million impressions a month.

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 4 News and insights Free Speech Center YouTube Channel Free Speech Center launched its YouTube chan- nel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC- 2jlsqklEC0uhf3ygPw3xag which includes “On Free- dom” videos from Center events and interviews. It also features “quick take” videos designed to an- swer frequently asked questions like “Do students have free-speech rights?” or “Why can Facebook take down my posts?” These are tailor-made for search engines, providing quick and easily digest- The Free Speech Center’s website has had a ed answers to commonly asked questions. dramatically growing audience built around our daily news coverage, columns and First Amend- ment Encyclopedia (managed in partnership with Programming highlights the John Seigenthaler Chair for Excellence in First Amendment Studies). In addition to our staff-writ- Talk is Cheap, but Also Priceless: Free Speech ten material, the site now includes daily reports Center Director Ken Paulson spoke about the role from The Associated Press. In 2020, the site drew the First Amendment plays on America’s campus- more than 2.4 million users with more than es at the Academic and Student Affairs Virtual 3.9 million page views. Summit for the University of Tennessee system. Campus outreach The Untold Story of the U.S. Flag: In this The Knight Foundation funded the Free Speech programming partnership with the Frist Museum Center’s unique outreach campaign to 25 col- of Art, Free Speech Center Director Ken Paulson lege campuses. The campaign partners with spoke about how the United public-relations professors to enlist students to States’ collective passion for launch on-campus campaigns to build awareness a symbol for freedom has about the First Amendment. These typically take inspired generations but also place during class time and are part of students’ The Free Speech Center led to conflict, controversy, partners with the Frist grades. We completed that project in 2020. The to explore the intersection Art of America’sMuseum flag and jail terms, and Supreme America’s liberties. Ken Paulson joins Mark Scala, chief curator for the Frist, for a lively conversation complete roster includes colleges from coast about the nation’s most powerful symbol. Court cases. The talk was September 10 to coast. https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/ https://fristartmuseum.org/calendar/| 5:30pm presented in conjunction Racial JusticeCOMING Protests and SOONthe First Amendment (in partnership with the Seigenthaler Chair for Excellence in First Amendment Studies) page/2018-19projects September 16 with the exhibition Mel https://mtsu.zoom.us/j/97082772339?| 2:30pm Kent State: 50 Years On October 15 https://mtsu.zoom.us/j/97647067267| 4:30p Ziegler: Flag Exchange Black Hollywood and the Civil Rights Amendment

November 4 The Great Bill of Rights Quiz at the Frist. https://mtsu.zoom.us/j/95831314188| 1:00pm On Dec. 15, 2021, the 229th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, the Free Speech Center When Truth Mattered: launched and distributed an interactive Bill of An exploration of the shootings at Kent State Rights quiz. https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/ 50 years on with Bob Giles, former curator of the page/2018-19projects Nieman Foundation in Journalism at Harvard Public participation was very encouraging, and the University and the editor who led the Pulitzer Free Speech Center will launch a number of new Prize-winning coverage of the tragedy by the Akron quizzes in 2021. It’s a great way to reach audiences () Beacon-Journal. that would otherwise not visit our website.

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 5 Black Hollywood and the Civil Rights Inside the First Amendment: Ken Paulson Movement: A presentation by Emilie Raymond, presented the keynote at a student conference author of Stars for Freedom organized by the Foundation for Individual Rights on the role black artists in Education. played in the fight for civil rights in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Social Justice and the Five Freedoms: Director Ken Paulson spoke virtually to students BLACK HOLLYWOOD and the civil rights movement Racial Justice Protests and faculty at Southern Adventist University’s CST November 4 | 1:00pm via Zoom George and the First Amendment: School of Journalism and Communication about From Oprah Winfrey to Angelina Jolie, Clooney to Leonardo DiCaprio, Americans have come to expect that Hollywood celebrities will be outspoken advocates for social and political This panel discussion, the role the First Amendment has played in social causes. However, that wasn’t always the case. As Emilie Raymond shows, during the civil rights movement the Stars for Freedom—a handful of celebrities both black and white—risked their organized in partnership progress in America. careers by crusading for racial equality, and forged the role of celebrity in American political culture. Register in advance for this Zoom program: with the John Seigenthaler https://mtsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tJEldOirrz8rEtyPzZugWMb13_b_2saTKqBX After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing Center of Excellence in information about joining the meeting. First Amendment Newsletter First Amendment Studies, The Free Speech Center now publishes a timely featured Ashley Howard, an assis- and engaging newsletter https://mtsu.us4.list-man- tant professor of African-American history at the age.com/subscribe?u=7ee514ff234e7ed- University of Iowa, Ryan Haas, news editor with 7769f76655&id=c7a609bd5d on contemporary Oregon Public Broadcasting, Ken Paulson, director First Amendment issues. The newsletter, written by of the Free Speech Center at MTSU, and Keonte noted Chicago journalist Charles Meyerson, has Coleman, assistant professor in the School of built a readership of more than 1,000 in its first few Journalism and Strategic Media at MTSU. months of operation.

press coverage

A major component of the Free Speech Center’s mission is to Brown County Democrat (IN) convey accurate information about the First Amendment to Butte Standard (MT) the press and public. To that end, we offer a hotline for journalists Caledonian Record (VT) reporting about these issues and we distribute regular guest columns. Camden Courier-Post (NJ) In 2020, the Free Speech Center was cited in media outlets in 31 states Charlotte Observer (NC) and 143 individual outlets, including: Chattanooga Times (TN) (OH) Agence France-Presse (France) Baxter Bulletin (AK) Chippewa Herald (WI) (NM) Beatrice Daily Sun (NE) Christian Science Monitor Albany Democrat-Herald (NY) Beaumont Enterprise (TX) Cincinnati Enquirer (OH) Appleton Post Crescent (WI) (MT) Clay Center Dispatch (KS) Daily Sun, Flagstaff (AZ) Bismarck Tribune (ND) CNN.com (NJ) Bloomberg News (NY) (OH) Associated Press Bloomington Herald Times (IN) Commercial Appeal (TN) Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA) Bloomington Pentagraph (IN) Corvallis Gazette-Times (OR) (MI) Boston Globe (MA) Decatur Herald & Review (IL)

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 6 Press Coverage continued (TN) Somerville Home News (TN) Des Moines Register (IA) Lincoln (NE) (SD) (MI) Louisiana Record (LA) Southern Illinoisan (IL) Detroit Observer (MI) Manitowoc Herald Times (WI) Springfield News-Leader (MO) (AL) Marco Island Eagle (FL) St. Cloud Times (MN) Elizabethton Star Online (TN) Marion Star (OH) Standard, Cape May (NJ) Elko Daily Free Press (NV) Maryville Daily Times (TN) Statesville Record (NC) Evansville Courier & Press (IN) Mattoon Journal-Gazette (IL) Staunton News Leader (VA) Farmer’s Advance (MI, IN, OH) Middletown Press (CT) Stevens Point Journal (WI) (NM) (MT) (FL) (CO) Moline Dispatch (IL) Tennessean Fort Myers News-Press (FL) Murfreesboro Daily News Tennessee Press Association Fox 17 in Nashville (TN) Journal (TN) Tennessee Star (NE) (IA) Torrington Register Citizen (CT) Gilmer Mirror (TX) Music Row (TN) Twin Falls Times-News (ID) Glens Falls (NY) (CA) U.S. News and World Report (Iowa) (FL) USA Today Grand Rapids Herald-Review (MI) Nashville Ledger (TN) Valley Journal (MT) Greenville Sun (TN) New Era (OR) Village Soup (TN) Hanover Evening Sun (PA) New Haven Register (CT) Visalia Times-Delta (CA) (MS) Newcastle News Journal (WY) Voice of America Helena (MT) Newswise VTCNG (VT) Herald Bulletin (IN) Orangeburg Times and Washington Post Herald Times (IN) Democrat (SC) Washington Times (DC) Houston Chronicle (TX) Park Hills (MO) Waterloo Courier (IA) Indianapolis Star (IN) Post-Star (NY) WGNS Radio Iowa City Press Citizen (IA) Press of Atlantic City (NJ) Wichita Falls Times-Record (TX) Iowa State Daily (IA) Quad City Times (IL and IA) (MN) Ithaca Journal (NY) (WI) Winston-Salem Journal (NC) Journal News (IN) (SD) Wisconsin Public Radio Journal Review (IN) Roanoke Times (VA) Wisconsin State Farmer Knox News (TN) Rochester Democrat and WKRN-TV Online (TN) Chronicle (NY) Wyoming Press Association (WI) Salisbury Daily Times (MD) Yahoo Canada Sports Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (OH) San Saba News (TX) York (PA) (MI) Science News Net Sentinel Online, Carlisle (PA) SFGate (CA) Sheboygan Press (WI) Somerville (TN)

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 7 Thanks to the support of hundreds 1 for all of news organizations across the country, these public service ads have helped build ad gallery awareness of First Amendment freedoms .

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 8 1 for all ad gallery

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 9 1 for all supporters

National Florida Michigan The Associated Press Florida Press Association Michigan Press Association Charles Koch Foundation Georgia Minnesota Craig Newmark Philanthropies Georgia Press Association Minnesota Association Foundation for Individual Rights Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St.Paul in Education (FIRE) Hawaii Hawaii Publishers Association Tri-County News, Kimball Free Speech Center at MTSU Mississippi Freedom Forum Institute Idaho Mississippi Press Association Co., Inc. Idaho Press Club John Seigenthaler Chair of Illinois Missouri Excellence in First Amendment Chicago Public Square Missouri Press Association Studies Illinois Press Association Montana Journalism Education Association Montana Newspaper Association Knight Foundation Indiana National Newspaper Association Hoosier State Press Association National Scholastic Press Assoc. Iowa Gothenburg Times News Leaders Association Iowa Newspaper Association Nebraska Press Association Tri-City Tribune, Cozad Wesner Publications Kansas Coffeyville Journal Nevada Alabama Good News Press, Independence Nevada Press Association Alabama Press Association Independence Daily Reporter New Hampshire Arizona Kansas Press Association New England Newspaper & Arizona Association Press Association Kentucky Arkansas Kentucky Press Association New Jersey Arkansas Press Association New Jersey Press Association Louisiana California Louisiana Press Association New Mexico Cibola Citizen, Grants California News Publishers Assoc. Maine New Mexico Press Association Colorado Maine Press Association Colorado Press Association New York Maryland New York Press Association Connecticut MDDC Press Association New England Newspaper & North Carolina Massachusetts Press Association North Carolina Press Association New England Newspaper & Press Delaware Association North Dakota Delaware Press Association North Dakota Newspaper Assoc.

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 10 1 for All Supporters continued

Ohio South Dakota Texas Ohio News Media Association Black Hills Pioneer, Spearfish Blanco County News Oklahoma Sanborn Weekly Journal Castro County News, Dimmitt Bristow News Sisseton Courier Dalhart Texan The Cordell Beacon South Dakota Newspaper Assoc. The Dublin Citizen Elk City News South Dakota News Watch Horseshoe Bay Beacon The Geary Star Tennessee Johnson City Record Courier The Hinton Record , Memphis The Lamb County Leader-News, Lincoln County News, Chandler The Connection, Robertson County Littlefield The Madill Record Dickson Post The Llano News Oklahoma Press Association The Exchange, Cheatham County Mason County News Ponca City News FW Publishing San Saba (Texas) News & Star Tonkawa News Gallatin News Texas Press Association Tri-County Herald, Meeker Guestbooker.com Utah Stroud American Hendersonville Standard Utah Press Association The Walters Herald Knoxville News-Sentinel Vermont Watonga Republican Main Street Media of Tennessee Vermont Press Association Marbaloo Marketing Oregon Virginia Middle Tennessee State University Oregon Newspaper Publishers Virginia Press Association Association Murfreesboro Post Nashville Scene Washington Pennsylvania Portland Sun Washington Newspaper Pennsylvania NewsMedia Assoc. Spotland Productions Publishers Association The Sentinel, Lewistown The Standard Bearer, Jefferson City West Virginia Rhode Island Tennessee Association of West Virginia Press Association New England Newspaper & Broadcasters Wisconsin Press Association Tennessee Press Association Wisconsin Newspaper Association South Carolina , Nashville Wyoming South Carolina Press Association The Wilson Post Wyoming Press Association

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 11 freespeech .center

Free Speech Center ANNUAL REPORT ©2021