2025 Symposium - Journalism at a Crossroads: Legal Protections, Innovations and Democracy

The press, once heralded as essential to a functioning democracy, faces a constellation of challenges, including market crises and calls to eliminate constitutional protections crafted by the Supreme Court more than 60 years ago—protections that apply to all speakers but that are considered especially crucial to the press. Many suggest that the press has acted irresponsibly behind the shield of these legal protections and should be held more accountable for harms that it causes, which range from violation of privacy to trespassing to damaging reputation and injury caused by deceit employed to get a story. This year’s Villanova Law Review Norman J. Shachoy Symposium will focus on the legal questions raised by these issues and will consider how the law should respond to seismic changes in the political, marketplace and social landscapes. It will also look to the future and consider how the law and the press should navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

The annual Villanova Law Review Symposium is named for Norman J. Shachoy '58 COE, '61 CWSL, who served as editor-in-chief for volume six of the Villanova Law Review. The naming was made possible through his generous support, along with that of his son N. James Shachoy '86 CWSL.

Reception Honoring Professor Doris Brogan

This year’s symposium is based on articles involving challenges and protections for the press written by Doris DelTosto Brogan '81, professor of law and Heller McGuinness Leadership Chair, who will be retiring at the end of this academic year after over forty years at Villanova Law. During her time at the Law School, Brogan has been significantly involved with the Villanova Law Review and served as the secretary of the Villanova Law chapter of the Order of the Coif, the national honor society devoted to the encouragement of high standards of legal scholarship with chapters in leading law schools throughout the country. The Villanova Law Office of Development and Alumni Relations will hold a reception in the Ambassador David F. Girard-diCarlo ’73 and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo ’74 Student Lounge following this year's symposium to honor her work and legacy.