The first amendment is in danger.

That is what Atlanta Journal-Constitution Editor Julia Wallace told an audience of about 50 people on Wednesday during the 29th annual McGill Lecture.

Wallace expressed concerns over the government’s increasing restrictions on public information, advocating the need for a “transparent” government. Placing responsibility on the media, she cited bias, inaccuracy and self-absorption as three main problems in journalism today.

Wallace spoke on the status and current assault on the first amendment.

“Freedom of the press is an issue for everyone,” Wallace said.

Posing the question “who is killing the first amendment?,” she cited the government and media as possible suspects.

She spoke on the evolution and importance of new media, particularly with youth.

“I think our opportunity with young people is in the digital world – it’s less about understanding the technology and more about understanding the audience,” Wallace said.

While citing the possibility for outreach through the Internet, Wallace acknowledged the possibility of not being able to

decipher the truth with the advent of citizen journalism through avenues such as blogging.

“The Internet is the wild west when it comes to copyright and libel,” Wallace said. “If I don’t know what to believe, I don’t believe anything.”

“The first amendment is so important in today’s society and we as Americans take for granted freedom of speech and press,” said Yasmin Yonis, a freshman from Lawrenceville majoring in newspapers and international affairs. “It’s so important for what this country stands for,” Yonis said.

The lecture, established in 1978, honors the late Ralph McGill, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former editor of the Atlanta Journal who fought for civil rights during the 1950s and ’60s.

Topics addressed during the lecture include ethics, equality and major issues facing the American press.

Wallace became the first woman editor of the paper in 2002. Wallace has aimed at focusing on unique local content, and the paper has been awarded two Pulitzer Prizes during her tenure. Wallace was named editor of the year by Editor & Publisher magazine in 2004.

In addition to Wallace’s lecture, this year marked the beginning of the McGill Fellows and Symposium.

The inaugural class of McGill fellows is comprised of 12 students – 10 undergraduate and two graduate who were selected by a journalism faculty committee for their academic achievement, practical experience and leadership.

This year’s fellows are Bradley Alexander, Ugochi Amuta, Juanita Cousins, Kimberly Davis, Natalie Fisher, Geoffrey Graybeal, Matthew Grayson, Kali Justus, Scott Reid, Kacie Versaci, Marlee Waxelbaum and Emily Yocco.

The fellows joined visiting McGill Journalists from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Associated Press, Idaho Falls Post Register and The Washington Post among others. The six-hour discussion included the topics: when community forces align against you, the risks journalists face holding powerful interests accountable, on assignment in Iraq- and other troubled places and from outrage to outbreaks: courage in medical reporting.

“The experience of the symposium was inspirational because all the journalists in attendance have devoted their lives to making a difference,” said Natalie Fisher, a senior magazines major from Birmingham, Ala.

Records of the discussion will be made available in early 2008.