Eric P. Robinson, J.D., Ph.D., has been named the Reid H. Montgomery Freedom of Information Chair by the College of Information and Communications at the University of South Carolina. He is a tenured faculty member in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and is a teacher and scholar in First Amendment rights for media and mass communications. He is also an academic affiliate of the USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law.

"Dr. Robinson is most deserving of the Reid H. Montgomery Freedom of Information Chair appointment," said SJMC Director Damion Waymer, Ph.D. "He is well established as an expert in First Amendment rights and has devoted his career to educating students in this area."

Robinson has been a faculty member in the SJMC since 2016 and has taught Law and Ethics of Mass Communications at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level. He also developed a new course, Internet and Social Media Law, that provides timely content related to media law in the cyber sphere. He also teaches media law in the law school.

Robinson is a recognized scholar in the areas of First Amendment and media law. He authored two books on the topic and also edited and contributed to Internet Law: The Complete Guide. Since arriving at USC, he has authored nine journal and legal articles and presented peer-reviewed papers at national conferences.

Robinson is often sought for his media law expertise, and undertakes research and writing for the media law firm Fenno Law in Charleston. He previously held positions with the Press Law and Democracy Project at Louisiana State University; the National Center for Courts and Media at the University of Nevada, Reno; the Digital Media Law Project at Harvard Law School’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society; the Media Law Resource Center; and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Outside of his faculty duties, Robinson writes a column for the South Carolina Press Association’s monthly newsletter and is a frequent speaker.

The Reid H. Montgomery Freedom of Information Chair was established in 1993. It was named in honor of Reid H. Montgomery, Sr., secretary-manager of the SC Press Association for 22 years.  The position honors faculty who are established scholars of First Amendment rights and media law. Jay Bender held the position from 2007 until his retirement in 2016.