Named in honor of Syracuse alumna Joan Tully Infarinatio, the Tully Center for Free Speech at the Newhouse School of Syracuse University was launched to educate university students and the public about the important value of free speech through research and educational programming. Joan Tully (1947-2005) was a journalist, businesswoman and Cahill alumna who joined the firm in 1983 to practice First Amendment law.
On September 25th, Tully Center's Director Barbara Fought said the center will enhance the learning experience for students by bringing in experts such as Floyd Abrams to speak to them. "She [Joan] cared deeply about protecting and promoting freedom of speech. She wanted to encourage teaching and research about media law and free-speech issues, and to honor communicators who face free-speech threats." (
Syracuse University) As part of her bequest, Joan Tully asked that an award be given to honor a journalist who has shown courage in facing a free-speech threat. (The first award will be given in 2007.)
The inauguration of the Tully Center was the focal point of the first annual Tully Center for Free Speech Symposium held last week, the timing of which coincided with the second annual
Freedom of Speech Week that begins today and runs through October 22, 2006. The inaugural address "The State of Free Speech," was delivered by Floyd. The Symposium also featured a session entitled "Abrams and the Law": Question-and-Answer session with Abrams and a student panel on current media law issues. Regional and local media covered the event.
The Media Institute, which is one of the country’s leading First Amendment "think tanks" introduced
Free Speech Week last year in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation. Its purpose is to celebrate "Free Speech that defines our American Way of Life." Cahill Partner Floyd Abrams serves on The Media Institute's Trustee & Advisory Board.
