Robert Corn-Revere

Discussion of The First Amendment and the Media featured four noted panelists and was moderated by professor Robert M. O1Neil of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression. Timothy B. Dyk of Jones, Day Reavis & Pogue in Washington, D.C.; Allen S. Hammond, Director of the Communications Media Center and a Professor of Law at New York Law School; Sol Schildhause, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Media Institute; and Anne M. Swanson of Koteen & Naftalin in Washington, D.C., all contributed to the discussion of recent government actions affecting freedom of the press in 1997. Overall, the government was found wanting in its defense of the First Amendment.

From left to right: Professor Robert M. O'Neil, Director, Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression; Professor Allen S. Hammond, New York Law School; Anne M. Swanson, Koteen & Naftalin; Sol Schildhause, The Media Institute; Timothy B. Dyk, Jones, Day Reavis & Pogue

Following discussion of The First Amendment and the Media-1997, a second panel was convened for comment on Rationales & Rationalizations: Regulating the Electronic Media. Professors Lawrence Lessig of the University of Chicago School of Law and Rodney A. Smolla of the College of William and Mary Institute of Bill of Rights Law offered responses to the book. Robert Corn-Revere, editor of Rationales & Rationalizations, replied. Their discussion included examinations of different approaches to regulating cyberspace, and a critique of the federal culture of regulation.

The final portion of the program was devoted to honoring Senator Patrick Leahy for his outstanding service to the First Amendment. Known on Capitol Hill as the cyber-Senator, Mr. Leahy has been a consistent champion of the First Amendment, crusading for the protection of privacy rights, copyright protections, and freedom of speech on the Internet. Senator Leahy was presented with the First Amendment Defender Award for his efforts to protect free expression.

From left to right: Professor Lawrence Lessig, Univeristy of Chicago, School of Law; Robert Corn-Revere, Esq.; Professor Kedney A. Smolla, College of William and Mary.

"The First Amendment at the Approach of the Millennium" conference was the third of a three-part effort by The Media Institute to assess the state of the First Amendment at the close of the twentieth century. Publication of The First Amendment and the Media and Rationales & Rationalizations comprised the first parts in this initiative.