First Amendment Center announces new programs, partnerships

01.17.01

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NEW YORK — The First Amendment Center is expanding its presence at its facility in midtown Manhattan with a new season of forums, lectures and programs on a range of topics relating to freedom of expression.

Members of the public, groups with First Amendment interests and members of the news media will be invited to attend programs at the 580 Madison Avenue location that formerly housed Newseum/NY.

"First Amendment Center programs will explore emerging issues involving our most fundamental freedoms. Speakers, artists and panels will focus on public policy, constitutional law and free expression issues," Ken Paulson, executive director of the First Amendment Center, says.

Programs will include First Amendment topics relating to the arts, new media, religious liberty and protest in America. Most of the programs will be held in the center's state-of-the-art auditorium, and many will be taped for "Speaking Freely," the center's weekly, half-hour television program on First Amendment and arts issues. First Amendment Center programs will be broadcast on MetroArts/Thirteen, Cablevision's MetroLearning Channel in New York, and on more than 90 TV channels throughout the U.S.

The center also will launch a series of programs with the Whitney Museum of American Art. "Whitney Dialogues at the First Amendment Center" will feature discussions with contemporary artists on the First Amendment.

Also included in the First Amendment Center's Winter 2001 line-up is the New York debut of "Freedom Sings," a concert series that features live performances of topical, controversial and thought-provoking songs celebrating freedom of expression through music. "Freedom Sings" will be held March 5 at The Bottom Line in Greenwich Village.

New exhibit

First Amendment Center program attendees will have the opportunity to view "Protest! The Power of Petition and Assembly in American Society!" a new exhibition on display in the gallery during program hours only. The exhibit explores the history of protest in the U.S., from the suffrage cause to the Civil Rights movement to the anti-war movement. In addition to the exhibit, the First Amendment Center plans to hold a series of programs on contemporary protest in American society.

Upcoming programs

Note to listings editors: Programs are free and are open to the public unless otherwise noted below. Doors open 30 minutes prior to program start time. Seating is on a first come-first served basis.

Jan. 23, 6 p.m.: "Carving Up Information Rights in News and Sports." A panel on how new markets and technologies are leading to new contractual agreements in sports and news media, with possible implications for free expression. Co-sponsored by the Benjamin A. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University.

Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m.: "Faith and Freedom Online: The Internet and the Democratization of Religion." This discussion will focus on the Internet's role in religion. It will explore how smaller and newer religions and religious groups are using the Internet to spread the word and their influence.

Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m.: "Media Studies Journal: The First Amendment." A public forum focusing on a special edition of the Journal, which explores cutting-edge First Amendment issues.

Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.: "Certifying the News: Should There be 'Official' News Sites?" For generations, journalists and journalism organizations have been required to obtain credentials to access key government agencies or major newsmakers. The program will explore whether certification of news sites on the Web would benefit journalism or would exclude alternative and unpopular views.

Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m.: "Whitney Dialogues: Hans Haacke." A program in partnership with the Whitney Museum, this special taping of "Speaking Freely" will feature German conceptual artist Hans Haacke. Haacke drew headlines last year with his exhibit, "Giuliani is a Nazi" at the Whitney Biennial.

March 5 (8 p.m., 11 p.m.): "Freedom Sings" at The Bottom Line. "Freedom Sings"will hold its New York debut at The Bottom Line. Singer/songwriter Janis Ian is among the top musical artists scheduled to perform. Tickets will be available at the Bottom Line box office. Net proceeds from the shows will benefit the planned Folk Music Museum in Greenwich Village, a national museum.

March 6: "Violence and the Media." The panel will explore the assumption that violence in the media causes violence in society. Among the participants will be Marjorie Heins of the National Coalition Against Censorship. Heins is author of a special First Amendment Center report, "Violence and the Media: An exploration of cause, effect and the First Amendment."

The First Amendment Center works to preserve and protect First Amendment freedoms through information and education. The center serves as a forum for the study and exploration of free expression issues, including freedom of speech, of the press and of religion, the right to assemble and to petition the government. The center, with offices at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and in New York City and Arlington, Va., is an independent affiliate of The Freedom Forum and the Newseum, The Freedom Forum's interactive museum of news. The Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan, international foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people.