First Five Live – The First Amendment: Where America Stands on Press Freedom

Featuring USA TODAY Publisher Maribel Perez Wadsworth and Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page

More than half of Americans agree the news media should act as a watchdog on government, according to the latest Freedom Forum survey, “The First Amendment: Where America Stands.” But Americans are increasingly skeptical of journalism.

Join us for a conversation with USA TODAY Publisher Maribel Perez Wadsworth and Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page about how the press connects communities with critical information, and the steps USA TODAY and Gannett newspapers are taking to restore readers’ trust in their newsrooms.

They’ll explore the history of USA TODAY, which marks its 40th anniversary next year, and its current initiatives to ensure its workforce is as diverse as the country.

“The First Amendment: Where America Stands” surveyed more than 3,000 Americans across geographic, demographic and ideological lines on their attitudes about the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.

First Five Live is a Freedom Forum conversation that explores topical issues and features current newsmakers who are using the five freedoms of the First Amendment to guide their work.