The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network Tennessee has hired a full-time beat reporter to cover First Amendment issues, Tennessean Editor and Vice President Michael A. Anastasi has announced.
The reporter, Angele Latham, was hired with funding through the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.
“Debate over the banning of books, school curriculum, the place of faith, access to government records, and free speech at college campuses and on social media are just a few of the issues of our day,” Anastasi wrote.
“By bringing the topic under a single journalist,” he said, ”we’ll develop the deep sourcing, expertise and focus needed to explore these complex issues and keep them at the forefront of community discussion.”
Before joining The Tennessean, Latham was the government and business reporter at The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun.
Freedom Forum Chair and CEO Jan Neuharth said, ““Our surveys show Americans overwhelmingly treasure the First Amendment but are conflicted about how it applies today. Having a reporter devoted to exploring the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition is an exciting way to help bridge the gaps in understanding our essential freedoms.”
USA TODAY Network Tennessee includes The Tennessean, The Knoxville News Sentinel and The(Memphis) Commercial Appeal.