TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 27, 2026) — The Knight Chair in Inclusive Journalism at Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC) will host the inaugural First Amendment Week from March 31 to April 2.
The event includes a series of discussions, presentations and activities focused on press freedom, student journalism, and the evolving challenges facing today’s media professionals.
First Amendment Week is designed to bring together student journalists, faculty members, and media professionals to examine how the First Amendment shapes reporting, storytelling and public discourse, particularly within campus and community news environments.
The week will open with “Student Voices: A Roundtable on Student Journalism and Press Freedom,” featuring Grace Nzekwesi, legal associate at the First Amendment Foundation. Nzekwesi will engage in conversation with student media leaders from The FAMUAN, Journey Magazine, FAMU TV-20 News, and WANM-FM 90.5.
They will discuss their experiences reporting on campus and community issues, navigating ethical challenges, and exercising their rights and responsibilities as student journalists.
“Our student journalists are the heartbeat of campus storytelling and giving them a platform to reflect on their rights, challenges and impact is essential,” said Leah P. Hunter, Ph.D., event co-organizer and FAMU SJGC associate professor. “This roundtable embodies what First Amendment Week is all about—encouraging young reporters to speak boldly, think critically and uphold the principles that sustain a free and informed society.”
First Amendment Week will conclude with a keynote address, “Journalism, Justice and the Power of Truth,” delivered by Emmy Award–winning journalist Georgia Fort. The keynote will be facilitated by Hunter and Ottavia Spaggiari, FAMU SJGC’s Knight Chair in Inclusive Journalism.
“First Amendment Week is about empowering the next generation of journalists to understand both their rights and their responsibilities,” said Spaggiari. “By bringing legal experts, professional journalists and our own student media leaders together, we are creating space for meaningful dialogue about the future of journalism and the importance of protecting the public’s right to know.”
Mira Lowe, FAMU SJGC dean, said the initiative reflects the school’s commitment to preparing students for the realities of modern journalism.
“At Florida A&M University, we are committed to educating journalists who are fearless, ethical and prepared to serve the public,” Lowe said. “First Amendment Week reinforces the essential role of a free press in our democracy while highlighting the remarkable work of our student media organizations.”
About FAMU SJGC
The Florida A&M University School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) is renowned for its commitment to excellence in journalism education. With state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated faculty, SJGC offers programs in journalism, public relations and graphic design, emphasizing academic achievement, experiential learning and ethical, impactful storytelling.
About the Knight Chair
Knight Chairs in Journalism are distinguished professionals who bring real-world expertise into the classroom, bridging the gap between academic learning and newsroom practice. Since its inception in 1990, the Knight Foundation has endowed 26 chairs and professors at 23 universities nationwide, advancing media and journalism education in the digital age.
For more information, contact:
Ottavia Spaggiari
Knight Chair in Inclusive Journalism
Ottavia.spaggiari@famu.edu
Leah P. Hunter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Leah.hunter@famu.edu
