The Kansas State Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy is redoubling their efforts to spread awareness on what the first amendment is and how freedom of speech effects the lives of members of the Manhattan community and beyond.
Professor Craig Brown from the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication discusses the importance of a “marketplace of ideas”:
Brown notes the importance of having conflicting ideas when engaging in the first amendment rights that Americans enjoy:
The institute is also looking at social media and how the discussion around freedom of speech on platforms such as Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, and others provide a difficult level of nuance to how American rights are interpreted and engaged with. Professor Brown emphasizes the importance of anonymity and how it can provide freedoms to Americans:
Brown acknowledges the importance of engaging in freedom of speech and expression at all levels of media and discourse at the university level to promote diversity of thought and learning:
The ICDD is looking to continue community outreach to develop greater awareness on how Americans can effectively and legally engage with their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression.
KMAN speaks with ICDD Director Colene Lind and other special guests once a month, generally on the third Thursday as part of the In Focus program.
