Former ABC Network President Jim Duffy To Moderate Panel on Media at Broadcaster's Luncheon at SaraBay Club January 14

MANATEE--The Florida Broadcaster's Club will hold a panel discussion on "Today's Media and the First Amendment" moderated by former ABC television network president Jim Duffy on Friday January 14, 2011 at the SaraBay Country Club in Manatee County. Duffy, who now lives in the area, had a 46 year career in broadcasting, fifteen of which he oversaw the rise and domination of the ABC network in the 1970's with such shows as "Charlie's Angels", "Happy Days", "Laverne & Shirley" and

"Monday Night Football".

The Florida Broadcaster's Club holds monthly luncheons during the fall and winter season at SaraBay Club. The January meeting is a departure from its normal program of booking one speaker in the broadcast industry to address the group. New club President Bob Dutriel and his staff are trying something new with the panel discussion format.

Former ABC Network President Jim Duffy

We'll have a "fair and balanced" discussion concerning the problems, challenges and controversies which seem to be raising questions about whether America's modern media can coexist with a 1st Amendment written nearly two and a half centuries ago," said, Fulton Lewis who is the club's vice-president and former news commentator on the Mutual Radio Network.

The panelists will include representatives of both the broadcast and print media. Topics on the agenda include:

Does the media have a responsibility to our national security to not report information deemed by our government to be "sensitive" -- such as materials released recently by Wikileaks? Would a government ban against such reports constitute a violation of the 1st Amendment rights of free speech and press?

Should the government have the power to shut down controversial cable or would it be a violation of the 1st Amendment guarantee of free speech press?

Is the internet a "sacred" territory which should be protected by the 1st Amendment from any and all government regulations?

Should NPR be defunded and is government subsidy of broadcasts which favor a particular side in partisan debate incompatible with the neutrality implied in the 1st Amendment?

Should the "Fairness Doctrine" be revived or is that a violation of the freedom of speech/press provisions of the 1st Amendment?

Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $18. For more information and registration click here.