By Dakota Thomas, The Current Sauce Public Relations Assistant
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s student-run newspaper, The Current Sauce, and the student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) will be hosting an event in honor of Student Press Freedom Day for NSU students and the Natchitoches community to attend.
Kallie Bourgeois, president of NSU’s SPJ and Copy Editor for The Current Sauce, explained the importance of Student Press Freedom Day.
“Student Press Freedom is important to recognize how far student journalists and our support services have come, especially since the communication field is facing backlash in our nation at this time. By acknowledging Student Press Freedom Day, it will help us better understand our communities and communication around the world,” Bourgeois said.
The Student Press Freedom Day event will take place on Feb. 26 in the Student Union Ballroom at 185 Sam Sibley Dr., Natchitoches, La 71497. The event is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. and will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage with the topic of press freedom with speakers and discussions hosted by members of The Current Sauce, SPJ and guest speakers.
“I hope the collaborative event will demonstrate the importance of free speech to the NSU and Natchitoches community, while recognizing several journalism and media professionals,” Bourgeois said.
Panelists are journalists and law professionals that will discuss the evolving landscape in the fight for press freedom. The panel includes Greg Granger, Lori Lyons, Lia Portillo, Rebecca Riall, and Colin Vedros.
Dr. Greg Granger completed his Ph.D. In Political Science at the University of New Orleans in 1996. He has taught Political Science and History at NSU since 1995.
Lori Lyons has spent more than 30 years covering news and sports in the River Parishes. After starting off as a sports agate clerk at the Times-Picayune in 1986 to receiving the Distinguished Service Award and inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2023, Lyons’ experience as a freelancer and staff writer allowed her to spearhead her way through the journalism world.
Lia Portillo is a senior communication major at NSU. She has served as Editor-in-Chief for The Current Sauce since Fall 2023 and has been writing for the paper since her freshman year.
Dr. Rebecca Riall is an attorney and social anthropologist, as well as a former student journalist. Her research interests include constitutional law, race and the law, and tribal/Indigenous Peoples law.
Colin Vedros is a reporter and anchor for KALB-TV, hosting a weekly newscast called ‘Louisiana Latest’ and a weekly podcast ‘Voice of the People.’ An NSU Grad from the Class of 2023, Vedros focuses on covering education, state news, politics and current events in his current role.
The Current Sauce and SPJ encourages everyone in the community to attend the event and looks forward to hosting the event while honoring Student Press Freedom Day.