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Center for Freedom of Expression and Media Integrity

» Center for Freedom of Expression and Media Integrity

"Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech."
- Benjamin Franklin

Free speech in America is at a crossroads and the battleground for its future is on college campuses and within media outlets. The Center for Freedom of Expression and Media Integrity at Chapman University will be dedicated to the defense of free expression in all its forms. Our goal is to advance and promote the ideals of free speech and balanced media while at the same time monitor and challenge media bias and assaults on free speech.

Founding Executive Director

“Free societies require the uninhibited flow of information and speech regardless of how controversial it may be. Universities exist to create knowledge through open and constructive debate of ideas while media exists to disseminate information responsibly and in balanced fashion—both are vital to our democracy.” - Lisa Sparks, Ph.D.

Dr. Lisa Sparks is the Inaugural Dean of the School of Communication and an Endowed Professor in behavioral science at Chapman University. She served as Chair of the Department of Communication Studies and Founding Director of the Master of Science graduate program in Health and Strategic Communication from 2006 until 2016 when she launched the School of Communication.