Name: 2025 First Amendment Congress
Start: 2025-10-08T11:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-10-08T18:00:00-05:00
Location: University of Central Oklahoma

Join Freedom of Information of Oklahoma as we increase understanding and importance of the First Amendment.
About this Event

Join us as we gather to understand the threats and our responsibility to maintain First Amendment freedoms. The First Amendment Congress welcomes three speakers who are dedicated to the importance of the Constituional right of free expression.

The event begins at 11 a.m. at the University of Central Oklahoma in the Bob Burke First Amendment Center (Room 120). At noon help yourself to a free box lunch (while they last).

We’ll hear from Sarah McLaughlin with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) at 1 p.m. She will speak on the global connections related to freedom of expression.

All events are in the Bob Burke First Amendment Center (MCOM Room 120) inside the Communications Building on the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond.

SCHEDULE

11 a.m. — Opening Session with Kurt Gwartney
Kurt Gwartney, executive director of Freedom of Information Oklahoma, will speak on the current ramifications of the First Amendment in today’s news in Oklahoma.

Noon — Lunch

Box lunches provided while they last. There will be an on-screen quiz over lunch.

1 p.m. — Keynote Speaker
Sarah McLaughlin of FIRE will discuss global threats to our freedoms.

2 p.m — What Do We Do Next?
Panel discussion with professionals on the First Amendment Summit from the spring and how we can move forward with findings from the event.

3 p.m — The First Amendment Challenge in Oklahoma. Natalie Hughes, news director of Nexstar Media (KFOR-TV/KAUT-TV), will talk about her station's successful efforts to protect the rights of journalists to attend open meetings and hold public officials accountable. KFOR is the recipient of the Ben Blackstock Award.

4 p.m. — Marion Opala First Amendment Award and other FOI award recipients.
Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame member Joe Carter, 2025 Marion Opala recipient, will speak on the First Amendment in 2025. His speech will be followed by presentation of the FOI Awards, including the Bickham- Hale Service Award to Lindel Hutson, an Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame member.

5 p.m. — Reception