David Dewberry

David Dewberry is a Professor in the Department of Communication, Journalism and Media at Rider University, where he has served since 2008, rising from Assistant Professor to full Professor in 2020. His academic focus centers on Communication with specialized expertise in First Amendment jurisprudence and freedom of speech advocacy within democratic frameworks.

His educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in Rhetoric & Communication Ethics with a cognate in Gender & Interpersonal Communication from the University of Denver, complemented by a Master of Arts in Public Communication and Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Arkansas.

Dewberry's research critically examines free speech boundaries in contemporary contexts including digital media, political scandals, and public discourse. His work bridges rhetorical theory with legal applications, particularly analyzing how constitutional principles manifest in real-world conflicts involving police accountability, media representation, and democratic participation. He frequently explores the tension between individual expression rights and societal interests through historical and modern case studies.

His publication record reveals consistent scholarly engagement with communication law from 2005-2021, featuring two authoritative books and numerous journal articles. Key thematic threads include the rhetorical construction of political scandals, evolving interpretations of the First Amendment in digital spaces, and pedagogical approaches to teaching constitutional rights. His 2015 book The American Political Scandal received the James Madison Prize for advancing First Amendment scholarship.

Distinguished honors recognize his contributions to the field:

• Franklyn S. Haiman Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Freedom of Expression (National Communication Association, 2013)
• James Madison Prize in First Amendment Studies (Southern States Communication Association, 2010 and 2016)

Professor Dewberry teaches comprehensive undergraduate and graduate curricula spanning speech communication, legal issues, and digital media. His editorial leadership includes serving as Editor of First Amendment Studies (2012-2015) and Book Review Editor for Argumentation & Advocacy (2016-2018). He extends scholarly impact through the innovative podcast Rhetoric-O-Rama, which deconstructs rhetorical strategies across diverse discourse communities from religious traditions to contemporary social movements.