The Kansas Authors Club with the Kansas Humanities Council will host Stephen Wolgast, for 9 years an editor at the New York Times and now assistant professor of journalism and digital media at Kansas State University.
Wolgast worked in newspaper journalism for 19 years. He was a part of the newsroom that was awarded the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for reporting on the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath.
Wolgast will speak on “Free Speech in Times of Crisis” focusing on the First Amendment to the Constitution that grants U.S. citizens the right to express their opinions, even in times when society is under stress. History shows that people in positions of authority sometimes actively work to close off public discussion. This presentation will look at the reasons free speech is protected and provide current examples of how people in authority dissuade the public from speaking up.
“One of the jobs the press has is to hold a mirror to society,” said Wolgast. “That’s why we have to report on the failings of government and institutions, even if it upsets the powers that be. If the press can motivate people to act when things aren’t going well, then by one measure the press has succeeded.”
“Free Speech in Times of Crisis” is part of The Pulitzer Project in Kansas: William Allen White and Freedom of Speech, a joint venture of the Kansas Humanities Council, the Pulitzer Prizes Board, and the Federation of State Humanities Councils in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prizes. Bring your friends and come be inspired.
1:30-3:30, Saturday, August 12
Location: Larksfield Place, 7373 E. 29th St. N., Wichita KS 67226. (just west of Rock Rd. on the south side of 29th Street). Park in the Visitors Center lot and enter the Welcome Entrance walking right to the Auditorium.
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL
Wolgast worked in newspaper journalism for 19 years. He was a part of the newsroom that was awarded the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for reporting on the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath.
Wolgast will speak on “Free Speech in Times of Crisis” focusing on the First Amendment to the Constitution that grants U.S. citizens the right to express their opinions, even in times when society is under stress. History shows that people in positions of authority sometimes actively work to close off public discussion. This presentation will look at the reasons free speech is protected and provide current examples of how people in authority dissuade the public from speaking up.
“One of the jobs the press has is to hold a mirror to society,” said Wolgast. “That’s why we have to report on the failings of government and institutions, even if it upsets the powers that be. If the press can motivate people to act when things aren’t going well, then by one measure the press has succeeded.”
“Free Speech in Times of Crisis” is part of The Pulitzer Project in Kansas: William Allen White and Freedom of Speech, a joint venture of the Kansas Humanities Council, the Pulitzer Prizes Board, and the Federation of State Humanities Councils in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prizes. Bring your friends and come be inspired.
1:30-3:30, Saturday, August 12
Location: Larksfield Place, 7373 E. 29th St. N., Wichita KS 67226. (just west of Rock Rd. on the south side of 29th Street). Park in the Visitors Center lot and enter the Welcome Entrance walking right to the Auditorium.
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL