Former USA Today top editor to speak at First Amendment forum at Fresno State

Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment Center and former editor in chief of USA Today, will speak at Fresno State for two free events open to the public.

He’s in Fresno Wednesday and Thursday for the “Diversity, Resistance and the First Amendment” forum presented by the President’s Commission on Human Relations and Equity.

The forum is designed to “stimulate conversations of inclusion, respect and equity, and to create a safe space for students faculty, staff and community members to express their perspectives on diversity, resistance and the First Amendment,” commision chairwoman Francine Oputa said.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Paulson will give the keynote speech – “Saving America in a Single Bound: The Super Powers of Democracy and Diversity” – in the Table Mountain Rancheria Reading Room of Henry Madden Library.

At 9:15 a.m. Thursday, also in the Table Mountain Rancheria Reading Room, he will be on a panel that addresses “Campus Voices on Diversity, Resistance and the First Amendment.” Panelists include Fresno State faculty, staff and students.

The forum will move to the Satellite Student Union for a noon lunch in which Paulson is the keynote speaker. His subject is “News for a New Generation: A Free Press in a Free Society.”

University President Joseph Castro will join Paulson on stage at 1 p.m. for an open dialogue followed by audience questions.

Paulson is dean of the College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University, and remains a columnist for USA Today. He also is the founder of “1 for All,” a national campaign on behalf of the First Amendment. He was named fellow of the Society of Professional Journalists in 2007 and received the Robert S. Abbott Memorial Award.

This story was originally published October 18, 2017 at 8:32 AM with the headline "Former USA Today top editor to speak at First Amendment forum at Fresno State."