“Frontline” EP David Fanning was presented the 18th annual Fred Friendly First Amendment Award by Quinnipiac University today.

During his acceptance speech, Fanning called for the creation of a Public Journalism Fund with support from foundations, individuals, major donors and public money to hire the best journalists possible. “And make sure to bring in with them a new generation of young reporters who ared used to the daily demands, the drumbeat of reporting in the digital world,” Fanning said. “If we do this smartly, we will get a lot of attention. Public broadcasting will immediately become more relevant to the national conversation, attract some of the best talents in journalism, and capture a key piece of the journalism landscape.”

Click here to read Fanning’s speech in its entirety.