NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A 2020 graduate from Middle Tennessee State University’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media is one of five journalists to receive the 2026 First Amendment Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Angele Latham, the nation’s first-ever First Amendment reporter, works for The Tennessean, based out of Nashville, with her work focusing on everything from protests to book bans and more.

The First Amendment Award recognizes individuals and organizations that, through personal courage, have worked to protect or advance First Amendment freedoms, and is AEJMC’s most prestigious honor.

“Earning an award like the AEJMC’s First Amendment Award is such an incredible honor,” she said. “Three years ago, I took the helm of this First Amendment beat and worked diligently and passionately to make it not just a news beat, but also a public service.”

Latham said she works alongside four other “incredible women” to “shine a light on the importance of the First Amendment across the nation.”

“Being honored with this award that has seen so many giants of journalism on its roster feels like a tremendous endorsement of the hard work we do, and the collective power our team has to do good in this world. I am incredibly grateful.”

Latham, a former editor-in-chief of the university’s student-run newspaper, Sidelines, said her education at MTSU helped prepare her for her role as a reporter.

“I think it’s no surprise a previous winner of this very award was the First Amendment Center, based at MTSU’s campus and led by longtime MTSU faculty Ken Paulson,” she said.

“My time in MTSU’s journalism program taught me invaluable on-the-ground skills and a voracious passion for protecting our constitutional rights, and I am proud to be a part of MTSU’s long history of impactful journalists. I could not have asked for a better faculty or friends from my time as a Blue Raider.”

Latham will be honored along with the other four honorees (Cate Charron, BrieAnna, Stephany Matat and Taylor Seely) in New Orleans in August.

To read Latham’s work, visit https://www.tennessean.com/staff/4825024001/angele-latham/.

To learn more about MTSU’s journalism program, housed in the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, visit https://journalism.mtsu.edu/.

— DeAnn Hays ([email protected])