The Society of Colligate Journalists organized an open panel to take a closer look at the First Amendment.

Professors James Tidwell from the journalism department and Karen Swenson and Richard Wandling from the political science department gave an in-depth look at the First Amendment.

“The answer to speech is more speech and out of every negative comment has to be some truth,” Tidwell said.

Brittney Ferris, an SCJ member and a senior journalism major, constructed the event. The panel was inspired by Constitution Day, which is this Friday.

“Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion so if you can’t express it, what’s the point of having one?” Ferris said.

The three professors chosen for the panel gave their detailed opinion on topics such as basic rights, the definition of the First Amendment and how its interpretation has changed over the years.

Swenson addressed points about how the First Amendment has affected media and vice versa, as well as altering both print and multimedia journalism.

Wandling took a different approach and discussed how misconceptions, such as the Fairness Doctrine, play a huge role in freedom of speech and how people like journalists view it.

The turn out of the event was more than expected. Seats had to be added to the ballroom due to the eager students’ thirst for knowledge.

Rachael Fecht, freshmen education major, said she enjoyed the event and was curious to hear what the professors thought outside a classroom atmosphere.

“I will now look at the Constitution in a new light,” Fecht said. “Listening to the professors today I feel I have been misunderstanding the First Amendment as well as misusing it.”

Maggie Hockenberry, a freshman journalism major, said she felt the panel was very informative and agreed with what the professors had to say.

“The constitution constructs our world, however, people abuse the First Amendment by saying negative comments and bringing people down,” Hockenberry said.

Hockenberry said she stands by the motto, if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.”

Ferris said her goal was to educate students about the First Amendment through various perspectives.

Sierra Teague can be reached at 581-7943 or at slteague@eiu.edu