The government is slowly chipping away the basic rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, according to the publisher of The Courier in Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa, said Wednesday night.
Dr. Nancy L. Green, a Ball State graduate, spoke to journalists and students about first amendment issues and the campus press as part of the annual Freedom of the Campus Press Day, which she helped start nearly 20 years ago.
President George W. Bush's administration has made changes that restrict access to federal and public records, as well as congressional access to information, she said.
"It is your freedom that people want to take away from us," Green said.
The First Amendment is important to the media, and many people take it for granted, she said.
It is essential for everyone to think about the 45 words that make up the First Amendment, she said. However, schools are not doing their part to teach students the basics on how the First Amendment works.
"I think we are doing a terrible job on education," Green said.
Students agreed with Green's message about the First Amendment.
"I enjoyed how passionate she is. Many people don't realize how simple the First Amendment is and how important those words are, " Allison Cote, a graduate student, said.
Green told journalists to have guts and always ask the hard questions.
Green gave advice to young journalists trying to make it in the field. Reporters need to be more aggressive when dealing with the government for everyone's sake, she said.
"When the press is free, we are all free," Green said.
Freedom of the Campus Press Day is directed at students who are considering a career in journalism. With a strong background in media, Green created the day because she wanted a day for all students to be aware of the difference they can make.
"This day is important to students because it is a way for them to get involved with the First Amendment," she said.
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