By Cameron Miller |
Contributor
Gene Policinski, chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute, visited the JSAC Ballroom on March 13 to speak about the importance of the First Amendment, especially for journalists.
Speaking during the Future of the First Amendment Symposium, Policinski started his speech on the significance of journalism. He explained that journalists are regular people who simply have the privilege to report on the livelihood and issues of the community.
He noted that the press is currently being challenged by a great many people under the impression that the press is the “enemy of the people,” “elites” or “out of touch.”
“I do think that the First Amendment is our key to solving that crisis,” Policnski said. “It’s how we have, as a nation, self-corrected the multiple times that I think we’ve gone astray.”
Perhaps Policinski’s most pertinent point was that the free press has given a voice to the individuals in society who do not have a voice, and that this fact is necessary for a free press to offer positive change in society.
Another argument Policinski makes, referencing the intentions of the Founding Fathers, is that the government needs to be kept in check by the media representing the general public.
“There needs to be that watchdog on government,” he said, “which is a phrase you’ll hear if you read the First Amendment.”
Turning to advancements in technology, Policinski observes the negative side effects of modern communication, namely its underuse.
“The bytes have bitten us,” he said. “We have not taken advantage of this on this interconnected globe. And on the news and communication side, we have yet to see the rise of truly expansive, valuable news.”
Echo chambers and thought bubbles were another large concern of Policinski in the digital age. He said that instant access to ideologically driven nightly news has made people comfortable with hearing their opinions voiced back to them.
“We only hear that which we already believe—confirmation bias,” he said. “I see the same people saying the same things night after and night.”
Policinski warned of the threats to the First Amendment by well-meaning people who want to monitor “hate speech,” a loosely defined term to describe subjectively unfair or cruel language.
“Imagine if they had been in power to extinguish [ideas of equality],” Policinski said. “The ability of the First Amendment to protect that kind of speech from being shut down is what has caused the greatest social change in this country’s history.”
Polinciski finally suggested that Americans should welcome diverse viewpoints, if not to support them, then to challenge them.
After concluding, he welcomed questions from students, which he answered openly and thoughtfully.
Contact Cameron Miller at cammiller@augusta.edu.