(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Sept. 6, 2017) - - - In celebration of Constitution Day 2017, Columbia State Community College will present "The First Amendment and Freedom of the Press" Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. in the Ledbetter Auditorium.

Barry Gidcomb, Columbia State professor of history, accompanied by James Bennett, editor of The Daily Herald, will discuss the importance of free press in a democratic society.

"James brings a degree of experience and expertise to this year's topic," Gidcomb said

Bennett will focus on more recent developments he has closely followed during his career in journalism, and Gidcomb will examine the topic from a historical point of view.

Bennett is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and has more than 35 years of experience in journalism. In addition, Bennett has won numerous awards for writing and editing over the course of his career. Gidcomb holds an associate degree in history from Columbia State, bachelor's and master's degrees in history from Middle Tennessee State University and a doctorate of history from Illinois State University.

The event is free and open to the public. The Ledbetter Auditorium is in the Frank G. Clement Building on the Columbia Campus, located at 1665 Hampshire Pike.