NEWS RELEASE – THE MEDIA INSTITUTE
2300 CLARENDON BLVD., SUITE 602 * ARLINGTON, VA 22201
703-243-5700 * info@mediainstitute.org * www.mediainstitute.org
For Release: October 16, 2014 Contact: Richard T. Kaplar
Free Speech Week To Be Celebrated Oct. 20 – 26, 2014
Groups Around Country Plan First Amendment Events
Arlington, Va., Oct. 16 – Free Speech Week (FSW) will kick off Monday, Oct. 20, and run through Sunday, Oct. 26. Media organizations, schools, universities, and community groups throughout the nation will conduct events to celebrate the importance of free speech and the First Amendment.
Free Speech Week is a non-partisan, week-long commemorative event, now in its tenth year, which raises awareness of free speech and a free press in the United States among all age groups and walks of life.
Once again, many prominent media trade associations, journalism groups, and media outlets are participating as “Partnering Organizations,” displaying the FSW logo on their websites and publicizing the Week in various ways.
Colleges and universities across the country are also strong supporters of Free Speech Week as “Educational Partners,” giving professors an opportunity to spend class time and to plan lectures and other events devoted to free-speech topics.
Media outlets, schools, universities, and civic groups are invited to join the celebration as a partner on the FSW website, www.freespeechweek.org. There is no registration fee.
In addition to the activities of FSW partners, this year’s Free Speech Week features two new elements: the “#FreeSpeech365” Photo Contest and a series of original First Amendment artwork by noted artist Everett Spruill. Information on both the photo contest and artwork can be found on the FSW website, www.freespeechweek.org. The FSW site also includes ideas on how to celebrate and information about current and prior years’ activities.
Free Speech Week is designed to be an inclusive celebration for all Americans regardless of politics or ideology. The goal of FSW is to celebrate First Amendment rights, and it is not intended to advocate any political viewpoint or ideological agenda.
For more information, follow FSW on Twitter @Freespeechweek, join the discussion on FSW’s Facebook Page, and find the latest information on the FSW website, www.freespeechweek.org.
Though now independent, Free Speech Week was created in 2005 by The Media Institute, which continues to promote FSW and to manage its website. The event was originally known as “National Freedom of Speech Week.”
# # #