Robison Lecturer Ken Paulson to offer new perspective on First Amendment

10/28/2011 11:53 AM

“Thomas Jefferson’s iPad:  Journalism for a New Generation”

By Ivy Hillman ’12

This semester’s Robison Lecture will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 8:00 p.m. in Neumiller Auditorium. Special presenter is Ken Paulson, who will deliver his lecture “Thomas Jefferson’s iPad: Journalism for a New Generation.”

Paulson is currently president and chief executive officer of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University and in Washington, D.C. He is also president of the American Society of News Editors.

“As an Illinois native, I’m well aware of Bradley’s excellent reputation, and I was pleased to be invited by William Shay, a friend and former law school classmate,” Paulson said.

Previously, Paulson was the editor and senior vice president of “USA Today” and USATODAY.com. He was also on the team of journalists who founded the newspaper in 1982. He now writes columns First Amendment issues.

 The Emmy-honored television program “Speaking Freely” was hosted by Paulson and lasted for five seasons. He authored “Freedom Springs,” which is a multimedia show that travels to various campuses and teaches about the First Amendment.

During his lecture, Paulson hopes to give the audience members a perspective that they have not considered.

“We tend to take the First Amendment and our most fundamental freedoms for granted and give similarly little thought to the media we consume. Yet the two are intertwined. This generation of students will drive both the content and quality of American journalism with the choices they make today,” Paulson said.

Paulson strongly recommends that students look into journalism as a career. He believes it is one of the most interesting professions in the world.

“It’s true that there’s uncertainty in the industry, but every profession sees change in a digital age. Professional journalism is rewarding, engaging and sometimes even noble work,” Paulson said.

The Robison Lecture is free and open to the public and is sure to be rewarding to all in the audience.