Collegiate Times

In the post-Sept. 11 world, how do we deal with the competing themes of security and openness? Paul McMasters, an expert on the First Amendment and press issues, spoke to these concerns last night as the keynote speaker for First Amendment Week.

The First Amendment ombudsman of the Freedom Forum, McMasters gave a lecture that entitled ?Freedom of Speech: Have We Decided the Price was Too High?? in Squires Haymarket Theatre. The purpose of the lecture was to raise awareness to everyday censorship and risks to our freedom of speech. The main issue at hand was the fact that while we live in a society that is all about freedom and freedom of speech and expression, we face censorship daily ? both by society and our own inclinations.

McMasters said we censor ourselves ?because we care about our civility and our decency.? McMasters summarized the various forms the urge to censor has taken in contemporary society: flag burning, campaign spending limits and prohibitions on certain video game material.

?Video games are censored in the name of children,? McMasters said, adding that 80 percent of video game sales to children under age twelve occur when the child is accompanied by his or her parents. McMaster?s lecture was the final event in this week?s First Amendment Week. This is Virginia Tech?s first time holding this weeklong event, whose main purpose is to address freedom of expression in hope that students will consider their First Amendment rights.

The event was sponsored by the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, a not-for-profit company that owns the Collegiate Times, VTTV, WUVT radio, Bugle, Silhouette and the Student Production Photography Staff.

Scott Bliss, a senior BIT major, was announced as the winner of EMCVT?s First Amendment Week essay contest. His essay appears in the Opinions section of today?s Collegiate Times. Additionally, EMCVT hosted a Student Expression Gallery that displayed artwork from students across a variety of thematic areas in the Williamsburg Room in Squires Student Center.

McMasters cited one photograph showing several flaming American flags ? entitled ?Rage or Reverence?? ? for specific recognition. The photo, taken by EMCVT vice president Jim Dickens, was emblematic of various concerns surrounding the issue of flag burning, McMasters said. ?This gallery is an effort to convey the idea that First Amendments are not just politics but artistic expression,? said Kelly Furnas, editorial adviser.

Dylan Cooper, a freshman university studies major, said after the lecture that ?McMasters hit the nail on the head,? and that his words were, ?wise things to live by.?

McMasters, who spent 33 years in the journalism business, is recognized as a leading expert on the First Amendment, freedom of information and press rights.

Since 1995 McMasters has acted as the First Amendment ombudsman for the Freedom Forum, . He has appeared on NBC?s ?Today? show, PBS?s ?NewsHour,? CNN?s ?Larry King Live,? ?Crossfire,? ?Burden of Proof,? ?Talk Back Live,? MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News Channel, and Court TV. In addition to this impressive background, McMasters has also served as the national president of the Society of Professional Journalists and as President of the SDX Foundation.