First Amendment expert appears on ‘Outside the Lines’ segment
MURFREESBORO — First
Amendment scholar Ken Paulson, dean of the MTSU College of Mass Communication,
is among panelists discussing the free speech rights of student fans on a
recent edition of ESPN’s award-winning “Outside the Lines” investigative news
program.
Hosted by veteran sports broadcaster Bob Ley, the program
was entitled “The Art of Noise.” The topic was rude and crude chants and
language by student fans and whether public universities can limit student
speech in an arena or stadium. Student fan groups such as the Missouri Antlers
from the University of Missouri are increasingly drawing criticism for creative
taunts against opposing teams that some observers say have gone too far.
Paulson, president and CEO of the First Amendment Center and
former editor of USA Today, was joined by ESPN college basketball analyst Jay
Williams, a former Duke University and professional basketball player, and
Darren Hellwege, sports director at KBIA-FM radio who covers University of
Missouri Tigers basketball.
While the Missouri Antlers have been kicked out of two games
previously for their behavior, Paulson said free speech rights lean in favor of
the students participating in such collective taunting.
“I pointed out that while the remarks are often distasteful
and deplorable, the First Amendment provides that government bodies —
including public universities — can't set rules on what Americans can or can't
say,” Paulson said. “We can disagree with that from a policy perspective, but
it’s the law.”
Paulson went on to suggest that universities be creative in
their approach to dealing with the issue, including limiting the location and
size of signs — but not their content, and not allowing groups of 40 or 50
people to sit together.
No comments:
Post a Comment