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Saluting Seigenthaler, First Amendment champion
By Gene Policinski July 26, 2007 08:45 AM
John Seigenthaler, founder of the First Amendment Center, wasn't really present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But there he seems to be - courtesy of some computer-age graphic magic - standing with the Founders of the Republic in a reproduction of a mural by painter John Trumbull that now hangs in his office, a tongue-in-cheek gift from his colleagues. But as friends, family and coworkers mark his 80th birthday on July 27, it occurs to me that we all might be better off in terms of our freedoms if he had been there. No doubt he would have added his own strong voice to that of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others. Seigenthaler's career has included turns as newspaper reporter, editor and publisher, a stint in the Kennedy administration that forever linked him with the Freedom Riders of the early 1960s, and lifelong duty as a defender of the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment. More than five decades ago, he began writing and editing newspaper stories that defended and extended the public's right to know what its government officials in Nashville, Tenn., were doing. Twenty-five years ago, he was the first editorial-page director of USA TODAY, creating a unique, multi-faceted forum. In a column published over the July 4 holiday weekend, he took some high-profile congressional figures to task for proposing a revival of the Fairness Doctrine for broadcasters. He said, "It has nothing to do with fairness. It is intended only to muzzle right-wing talk-radio hosts who are chronically critical of Democrats in Congress." And just last week he spoke in Washington, D.C., to American Press Institute attendees - the latest in a string of API sessions that began 10 years ago when he was a youthful 70 - educating them about our basic freedoms. I should point out that I work at the center that Seigenthaler founded in 1991. Further, I was a colleague of his when USA TODAY was getting started, though we didn't directly work together. Be that as it may, Seigenthaler's place in the First Amendment pantheon stands firm with or without any accolades from me. Just ask the more than 6,000 journalists and news executives who have heard him speak at those API sessions (with Ken Paulson, USA TODAY editor). Following a multimedia presentation that combines information, competition and wit, those thousands who touch the lives of millions have come away with greater appreciation of the role of a free press in American life ... and likely with a new bounce in their free-press footsteps as well. Ask student audiences from Florida to Nebraska to Tennessee to Pennsylvania to South Dakota and beyond - all places where he has spoken about the unique amendment that has no equal elsewhere on the globe. Venture into cyberspace, where Seigenthaler's First Amendment concerns focus on a venture called Wikipedia - and where, after a widely read newspaper column he wrote about false statements posted about him on the site, an international debate began about such "self-correcting" information sources. Ask students from Florida, and one inspiring but not-so-youthful former Freedom Rider accompanying them, who sat down on a recent afternoon in Nashville to hear Seigenthaler - who in 1961 during a temporary switch from newspapers was representing President Kennedy in talks with the Alabama governor - tell of being knocked unconscious in Montgomery, Ala., as he tried to defend two young women from a mob attacking civil rights workers. Or ask the hundreds of people who last fall packed a lecture hall at the Seigenthaler Center, on the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville, to hear him talk about how and why we have and need the protection of those 45 words that begin with "Congress shall make no law ..." There's a great deal of debate around First Amendment issues today. What is the proper balance of religion and secularism in public life? What role does government have - if any - in regulating the content of television programs and movies? What may we say aloud and in print during wartime? How free or controlled should student voices be? How do we balance our right to support candidates by writing a check vs. the need to keep "big money" from corrupting politics? As he and we celebrate his first 80 years, it's worth noting what Seigenthaler had to say on Dec. 15, 1991 (the 200th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights), at the First Amendment Center dedication: "Freedom of expression is never safe, never secure, but always in the process of being made safe and secure." Those words are on the wall of the center that bears his name. They're also a great challenge to the rest of us: to get as involved in saving and securing our liberties as he is. Gene Policinski is vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209. Web: firstamendmentcenter.org. E-mail: gpolicinski@fac.org. Email this article
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Comments
Happy birthday, John! Thank you for all you've done for journalism, the First Amendment, and the American Press Institute. In the words of one of the thousands of API seminar members who have attended your First Amendment session: "You rock!"
Posted by: Carol Ann Riordan | July 26, 2007 11:49 AM
Happy birthday, John! You are a true freedom fighter, revered by thousands of API seminar attendees whom you've inspired and motivated. It's always a great honor to bring an API class into your presence. Thank you for all you've done for all of us, and for reminding us once again that not all superheroes wear capes.
Posted by: Elaine Clisham | July 26, 2007 05:05 PM
John..80 years and STILL going strong. It's been a year since my API class visited with you and your gift of knowledge about our First Amendment freedoms literally keeps on giving in the classes of my journalism students. Thanks for all you do. Keep on keeping on! Happy 80th Birthday!
Posted by: George L. Daniels | July 26, 2007 05:43 PM
It's virtually impossible these days to meet a man of true integrity, honesty and a champion for what's just for all people..the First Amendment rights. I knew no such man until I met you in July '07 in D.C. through API. (Plus, all my kinfolk live in middle Tennessee where honor is everything, as it is with you. I nearly wept with joy when I heard your Tennessee southern accent.) During your seminar I knew in my heart that I was experiencing something GOOD that would not pass my life again.
As often happens, a person doesn't realize how many lives they have touched. Please know that you, my dear Mr. Seigenthaler, have positively influenced and given hope to a humble publisher/general manager of a small town weekly.
I will never forget you and your teachings. God bless you on your 80th birthday!
Posted by: Joanne Klukowski | July 26, 2007 06:05 PM
Mr. Seigenthaler ... Happy birthday and thank you for a wonderful experience enjoyed by our July 2006 API class visit to the Freedom Forum. It was truly inspiring to have you tickle our brains and remind us just how much we may not know (or remember) about First Amendment rights in our nation's history. May you continue to inspire and instruct many more such classes. God bless you and keep you in good health, good spirits and good company.
Posted by: Mark A. Jordan | July 26, 2007 06:37 PM
Happy birthday, John! I so enjoyed our time with you last year! I learned more in the time we were with you about the First Amendment than I did during my history classes in school. Could be that you were much more interesting! Thank you so much for all you do to enlighten our country about this important part of our history!!
Posted by: Linda Carder | July 26, 2007 07:34 PM
John: Your work in defending the First Amendment has helped keep the press freedoms possible that many of us depend upon. Keep up the good work for another 80 years.
Posted by: Jim Bebbington | July 26, 2007 09:03 PM
Mr. Seigenthaler - many wishes for a happy 80th birthday. I still look back on my visit with you last summer as the highlight of my week at API's class for weekly newspaper managers. As I mentioned to you in our visit, I live in Richmond, Va., just a short five blocks down the street from St. John's Episcopal Church - the site of Patrick Henry's famous speech. I take weekly walks by the church and each time I pass I have a new respect for what took place on that patch of ground, in no small part due to your insightful comments about freedom and the First Amendment. You inspired us then and my wish is that you will have many more years to share your gift of inspiration with others.
Posted by: Joy Monopoli | July 26, 2007 09:36 PM
Happy birthday Mr. John Seigenthaler. What a great honor it was to meet you and listen to you speak at an API meeting. Just when you think this country is going backwards a person like yourself makes us remember what is great about this nation of ours and its people. Thanks again
Posted by: Mark S Romano | July 27, 2007 09:34 AM
Mr. Seigenthaler, happy 80th birthday. As you can see through these postings you have touched many of us who were in attendance at last summer's API visit with you. Thank you for the knowledge that you shared with all of us and may you continue what you do for years to come.
Posted by: Michael Measer | July 27, 2007 10:43 AM
John, I was shocked to learn that you really were not present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You spoke so intelligently about it to my API class in June this year, that I truly believed you were there. Seriously, John, happy birthday and congratulations on your 80th birthday. I think God smiles upon people like you. Thank you for your inspiration and dedication. May you live long and prosper.
Posted by: Charlie Trapani | July 27, 2007 12:52 PM
Mr. Seigenthaler: As a visiting Canuck to one of API's Freedom Forum sessions this past May, I was delighted to have an opportunity to learn a little about the First Amendment from Mr. Paulson and yourself. Your passion for educating others about those five rights was as palpable and as captivating to your listeners as was your concern about the fragility of those freedoms. It was a great honour (spelled correctly) to have had an opportunity to chat with you and to understand a little better what it is that makes our great neighbour (ditto) to the south tick.
Many thanks and congratulations on your 80th birthday!
Posted by: Ian Scott | July 27, 2007 12:53 PM
Happy birthday, Mr. Seigenthaler. I had the supreme honor of hearing you speak to my API class in May. As someone somewhat new to the journalism field, I found the brief time spent in your presence spoke volumes to me on the importance of what we do and why we must always strive to protect our freedoms. As you said, "Freedom of expression is never safe, never secure, but always in the process of being made safe and secure." Thank you for inspiring me and thousands of others.
Posted by: Rachel Colliver | July 27, 2007 01:01 PM
Happy birthday to John Seigenthaler! We never can thank you enough for your work in educating and protecting our First Amendment. Your talk to API was so inspiring and made me understand more deeply the role our newspapers play in keeping our nation strong, and how precious our freedoms are. Thanks for your commitment and I wish you a very special birthday.
Posted by: Mary Zenor | July 27, 2007 01:26 PM
How lucky we are as Americans to have someone such as you help us understand the true meaning of the First Amendment. Your contribution goes far beyond the First Amendment Center. Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Frank Maier | July 27, 2007 02:30 PM
Happy birthday John. I was one of the seminar members who visited the center last week. The knowledge that you shared with us for me a Nigerian cannot be found elsewhere and I am sure you will find favor in the sight of the Almighty to do this for humanity at least for another 20 years.
Posted by: Ben Egwuatu | July 27, 2007 06:20 PM
Mr. Seigenthaler, I would like to say "Happy Birthday" again to one of the best speakers I have had the chance to meet in my life. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion with us.
Posted by: Lara Neel | July 27, 2007 06:37 PM
Mr. Siegenthaler, congratulations and happy birthday. I've twice enjoyed your hospitality on API field trips, and won one of my prized possessions in your presence: a blue First Amendment Center T-shirt with (what else) the full text of the greatest amendment written on the back. It's important we remember -- and transmit to our readers and listeners -- that these are not freedoms we can afford to let slip away from us. Thank you for helping to lead that effort.
Posted by: Roger Nielsen | July 27, 2007 06:38 PM
As a Canadian citizen who attend one of your sessions during an API course, let me say that your inspiration is not confined to the USA.
I found your talk re-ignited the flames of freedom of speech and reminded me why I got into this business almost 30 years - albeit in another country, but nonetheless in a democracy where we in the media are charged with holding those in power responsible to its citizens.
Happy 80th from those you inspire north of the border!
Posted by: Keith Soper | July 28, 2007 11:48 AM
John, ditto what Carol said: "You rock."
Posted by: Sherry Brown | July 28, 2007 02:55 PM
John: Belated birthday greetings on the truly special occasion of your 80th birthday.
I had the honor of sitting in on one of your wonderful First Amendment discussions in May of 2006 -------- I was both touched and inspired by your passion and I look forward to having the opportunity to hear you again from the new Newseum facility.
Posted by: Dalton Lewis | July 30, 2007 12:02 PM
You cannot possibly be 80 years old. You don't look it, act it and, more important, I'm bringing up the rear if it's true. I have always held you up as an example of who/what/when/where/how/who (I couldn't resist) journalism should be but sadly all-too-often isn't any more. Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do.
Posted by: Sue Allison | July 30, 2007 02:03 PM
John ... Happy, happy birthday! It has been my great joy to be with you every few weeks for the past six years as you lead the First Amendment sessions. I don't know how you do it, but I learn something new every time. May your passion for freedom continue to inspire us all.
Posted by: Mary Glick | July 30, 2007 03:52 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!!! Thank you for the many years of unselfish service you have provided, not only to Nashville and Tennessee, but to the entire United States. Your courage, loyalty and that irrepressible will to fight for what is right will forever be an example to us all. "Hero" is not enough of a word to describe you!
Posted by: Tom Brothers | July 30, 2007 04:14 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!
Posted by: Barbara Haynes | July 30, 2007 04:47 PM
Happy birthday John! I remember today, as always, my API experience and rare privilege of sipping from your fountain of knowledge. Your pioneering effort at the First Amendment Center has set truly global standards. Media practitioners in emerging democracies, such as where I come from, will continue to draw inspiration from you in the onerous task of building enduring structures for the advancement of liberal values. Many happy returns.
Posted by: Samuel Ibemere | July 31, 2007 01:42 AM
Congratulations on your 80th birthday, Mr. Seigenthaler. I had the pleasure and honor of attending the December 2006 API session led by you and Ken Paulson. I was awe-struck by your passion for the First Amendment, and more important by the passion you've inspired in others. Thank you for your commitment.
Posted by: Mark Johnson | July 31, 2007 08:53 PM