A Free Press, a Community Conversation


Join us for a FRANK Talk. What is a FRANK Talk? It’s a community conversation where you can discuss issues with your neighbors, weigh facts, and consider different points of view.

The talk will be held at three libraries in October. 

The topic will be A Free Press: Cornerstone of Democracy.

The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects press freedom. Freedom of the press is important because it plays a vital role in informing citizens about public affairs and monitoring the actions of government. But what happens when public trust in the media is eroded by sensationalism, foreign influences or bots, fake news, and business monopolies? Who makes the news and what is newsworthy? Is non-partisan news coverage based on facts even still possible? What is the role of the media in keeping us informed today, and who is accountable when intentional misrepresentation occurs? Join us for a critical look at the impact of the media in a democratic society.

The talks will be presented by Professor Gail Rhodes of the The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.


This program is made possible by Arizona Humanities (AH) and the Arizona State Library, Records & Archives.