St. Cloud State University
37th First Amendment Forum - 2009
Reporting God? Religion, News and Freedom
In April participants of the First Amendment Forum, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists, College of Fine Arts and Humanities, Department of Mass Communications, Religious Studies program, Minnesota Newspaper Association and the St. Cloud Times, explored the freedom of reporting religion in the news. Why is religion the first of the First Amendment freedoms? Does religion influence how reporters do their jobs? Do reporters understand religion's impact on politics? Can journalism improve interfaith understanding?
SCSU Mass Communications professor, Michael Vadnie, (pictured left*) was also awarded the Defense of the First Amendment Award for recognition of his years of service and defense of First Amendment rights.
Schedule of events
9 a.m. Keynote Address: Religion as Political Weapon
David Domke, University of Washington professor and author, “God Willing? Political Fundamentalism in the White House, the ‘War on Terror,’ and The Echoing Press”
“The God Strategy: How Religion Became a Weapon in American Politics”
10 a.m. Media and Religion
MODERATOR - Dr. Sharon Codgill, Dean, SCSU Fine Arts & Humanities
David Unze, St. Cloud Times
Allie Shah, reporter, Star Tribune
Ambar Espinoza, reporter, Minnesota Public Radio
Joseph Edelheit, SCSU professor, religious studies
Hassan Mohamud, Islamic University of Minnesota
11:45 a.m. Award Ceremony
SCSU Professor Michael Vadnie
Defense of First Amendment Award
1:15 p.m. Covering Communities of Faith
MODERATOR - Professor David Domke, University of Washington
Diana and Dawn Madsen, radio hosts, Spirit 92.9
Roya Akhavan-Majid, SCSU Professor, Mass Communications
Julie Opoti, editor, Mshale, Minnesota African newspaper
Mordecai Specktor, publisher, American Jewish World
Joe Towalski, editor, St. Cloud Visitor and Catholic Spirit
Nehrwr Abdul-Wahid, One Ummah Consulting
Prof.
Bill Huntzicker
SCSU, Mass Communications Dept.
Robert Shaw, Director Emeritus
Minnesota Newspaper Association
Julie Opoti, Editor
Mshale, Minnesota African newspaper
Hassan Mohamud
Islamic University of Minnesota
*All photos provided by Tim Hennagir, Editor, ABC Newspapers/ECM Publishers
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