September 25 Marks Date Congress Passed Amendment Establishing Freedom of the Press
NEW YORK, NY, September 25, 2020 – MOR-TV and parent Hearst Television, along with other television broadcasters, are joining forces with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in the NAB’s effort acknowledging the anniversary of the landmark September 25, 1789, milestone in the life of the First Amendment.
The NAB is marking the occasion with public-service announcements (PSAs), a social-media campaign and other efforts, under the banner of its ongoing We Are Broadcasters campaign, and is working in collaboration with other industry organizations such as the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) in honoring journalists throughout the country for their vitally important work.
For their part, Hearst Television stations, in concert with the NAB, the RTDNA, other organizations and fellow broadcasters, will recognize the event with news reports filed by the station group’s Washington, DC, bureau, as well as a series of PSAs, on-air editorials and commemorative website and social postings, some featuring reporters reading from the historic document. Hearst Tower in New York City will feature a HearstLive video installation in its street-level windows at the showcase corner of West 57th Street and 8th Avenue to mark the occasion.
Station produced Public Service Announcements will run on MOR-TV and digital channel MeTV. Additional related content will be placed on the station’s website MOR-TV.COM, as well as its social media platforms.
“On this important anniversary and every day, journalists across America and of all platforms are to be celebrated for carrying out the mission envisioned by our forefathers — serving as an important pillar of our democracy,” said Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb. “I and my colleagues join with the NAB, the RTDNA and others in saluting their commitment and dedication. I could not be prouder of the journalists of Hearst Television, and their colleagues throughout our industry. #WeAreBroadcasters.”
“Alongside Hearst Television, NAB and other industry organizations, we honor one of the true cornerstones of democracy and the values it represents,” explains Pam Barber, President & GM of MOR-TV. “It is this very amendment that not only empowers journalists, but allows us to keep our communities informed.”
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress submitted the first constitutional amendments to the states for ratification. Among these, the First Amendment established freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and freedom of the press. This followed by two years Thomas Jefferson’s famous letter from Paris to Edward Carrington, whom Jefferson had sent as a delegate to the Continental Congress, in which he wrote “a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”
About MOR
MOR-TV is a Hearst Television owned and operated television station in Tampa Bay and is one of America’s top Independent. MOR-TV features the best in off-network comedies, talk, dramas and more, featuring The Big Bang Theory, Schitt’s Creek, The Goldbergs, Mom, Last Man Standing, Modern Family, Family Guy, The Dr. Oz Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Tamron Hall and more. MOR-TV is also one of three stations in a group that includes MeTV Tampa Bay’s new classic television channel featuring the best of the best of television programs, and estrellaTV Tampa Bay, the fastest growing Hispanic entertainment channel in America. MOR-TV’s website is www.mor-tv.com.
About Hearst Television
Hearst Television owns and operates 33 television and two radio stations serving 26 media markets across 39 states reaching over 21 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all the major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content over nearly 70 video channels including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, This TV, Estrella and more. The radio stations are leaders in Baltimore news/talk and rock music listenership. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry’s premier companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst.