As part of its First Amendment Forum speaker series, the Reynolds School of Journalism is pleased to present a conversation with Ike Bailey entitled “More Light, Less Heat: Despite the Overblown Tension, Free Speech and DEI Need Each Other.” The forum will be held on Wednesday, April 12 at 6 p.m. in the Joe Crowley Student Union Theatre at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Moderated by Dr. Patrick File, associate professor of media law at the Reynolds School, the forum will explore how the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are crucial to free expression. Bailey argues that although current debates often place DEI and free speech at odds, there is a path to resolution which can generate more light and less heat.

Ike Bailey is a Visiting Professor at Columbia University this spring and a long-term Professor of Practice for Davidson College where he spearheaded an effort to adopt a freedom of expression statement that is unique for similarly-situated universities. He’s an author of three books and an award-winning veteran journalist who has been published by several dozen publications, including Time Magazine and the New York Times, and has been featured by NPR, MSNBC, CNN, among others.

The event is free and open to the public, and registration is required. The First Amendment Forum is an annual event that explores emerging issues facing freedom of the press and free speech, made possible by the support of the Lerude First Amendment Endowment. Additional support for this event is provided by KUNR.