Porn Valley- Free Speech Coalition (FSC) will join with other groups and organizations around the nation in celebrating the second annual National Freedom of Speech Week (NFSW), October 16-22, 2006. Launched in 2005 by The Media Institute in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation, the event spotlights the visionary principle of freedom of expression that forms the very foundation of our democracy.

Featuring a slogan of “Free Speech: The Language of America,” the project seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of our free speech rights by mobilizing civic and community groups, schools, PTAs, companies, associations, media outlets, unions, nonprofit groups, libraries, scouting and youth groups to take action during the specially designated week. Groups and individuals are encouraged to exercise their free speech rights by posting a message online, keeping a journal, writing a letter to the editor or displaying a bumper sticker. As the event website states, “Just let your voice be heard!”

FSC will be promoting the week’s message to its membership with recommendations on ways they can become involved locally, such as writing letters to the editors of newspapers, requesting that local libraries set up a display commemorating the week and contacting their local civic organizations to encourage meetings on the importance of Freedom of Speech. In addition, FSC will conduct several online fund-raisers where the significance of Freedom of Speech Week will be emphasized. In Washington, D.C., our lobbying team at The Raben Group will also be pushing the topic as they make visits on the Hill on our behalf.

National Freedom of Speech Week has mobilized an impressive array of groups as Partnering Organizations, including the American Bar Association, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the National Coalition Against Censorship and the Recording Industry Association of America, among others. As the Founding Partner, The Media Institute maintains the NFSW Web site at http://www.freespeechweek.org and serves as a clearinghouse for information about the event.