【Article by Center for International Collaboration, College of Communication】

Roy Gutterman, Director of Syracuse University’s Tully Center for Free Speech and Professor in the Newhouse School of Communications, delivered a lecture titled “Free Speech and Free Press: Challenging Times” on 5 June 2025 in National Chengchi University.

 A journalist-turned lawyer and legal scholar, Professor Gutterman mentioned at the start of his remarks that the “press” when the US constitution is written refers to the printing press. He shared three cases, that of a former US vice-president candidate, two rappers and the recent act from the US government to remove the Associated Press from the White House press pool. Participants, on the other hand, asked questions on journalist safety, fake news and internet governance.

 After briefly introducing the history of the First Amendment Professor Gutterman mentioned the case of former US vice-president candidate Sarah Palin losing two lawsuits against the New York Times editorial by failing to establish “actual malice” and damages done.”Part of the beauty of modern media is that you can correct your mistakes,”he said.

Professor Gutterman also mentioned the occurrence where the Associated Press refused to change how the Gulf of Mexico is referred to in accordance with instructions from the White House. “The First Amendment gives the press the right to determine its own content. But the government does not dictate what the press write, say or do.” Said Professor Gutterman, with referred to a recent court judgment. He also briefly referenced the recent case involving rapper Drake, saying that “No one expects to listen to rap for factual information” and no one listens to rap expecting to listen to someone potentially committing a crime.

 Among the near-full house audience, Ms. Yun Peng, former Chairperson of the NCC, raised questions on protection of journalists and hate speech. Professor Gutterman commented by saying that “Reporters are targets everywhere” for all kinds of reasons, including unfair lawsuits and actual violence. “It’s a challenging profession, but (it is) important.” Said Professor Gutterman. As a journalist, “You have to be careful and mindful where you go.”
   
Students, on the other hand, focused on neutrality and news aggregators. Stopping short of an answer, Professor Gutterman brought out the current situation, where neutrality depends on one’s position and the responsibility for AI-generated content are still on discussion tables.

Professor Chien-Chih (Jesse) Lu, who hosted the talk, asked Professor Gutterman in multiple instances for advice for students pursuing a journalist-turned legal career and in entering a journalistic career. In all instances, Professor Gutterman put forward the same message, “find something you enjoy doing, do it well, and enjoy what you are doing.” In the current reality where there are fewer and fewer students aspiring to enter the journalism profession, he also remarked that a journalism career could make one head out daily and go over the world to do things. “The training you have as a reporter will set you up for almost everything.” Said Professor Gutterman. “It is also the best training you can have for any other job you want to have.”