How Free is the Free Press?

Building on longstanding ABA commitment to the First Amendment, highlighted most recently by former ABA President Bob Carlson and the 2019 ABA Law Day, which focused on the theme “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society,” this Constitution Day celebration will focus on current challenges and threats to the freedom of the press in the United States, including the arrest and harassment of reporters covering demonstrations, both Black Lives Matter and other protests; the concerns raised by now two Supreme Court Justices about the need to reform libel law and overrule the landmark 1964 decision of New York Times v. Sullivan; harassment of journalists, especially women and minority journalists online; and other issues reporters have encountered, including surveillance by the federal government, denial of access to courts during the 16 months of courthouse closures for the pandemic, and denial of access to public records and hearings and trials.

Speakers include:

- Reginald M. Turner, Jr. (Welcome Remarks)– President, American Bar Association; Member, Clark Hill PLC

- Roger A. Fairfax, Jr. (Welcome Remarks) – Dean and Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law

- Matthew Schafer – Assistant General Counsel, Litigation, ViacomCBS

- Carmen Scurato – Senior Policy Counsel, Free Press

- Al-Amyn Sumar – Counsel, The New York Times Company

- Leita Walker – Partner, Ballard Spahr

- Frank D. LoMonte (Moderator) – Director, Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications; Co-Chair, Free Speech and Free Press Committee, ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice

CART services will be available.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NOT FOR CLE CREDIT.