The Freedom Forum and the American Press Institute are collaborating on a program to enhance newspaper professionals' understanding of and appreciation for the First Amendment.

The program is the centerpiece of a $1 million partnership between the Freedom Forum and API. The Freedom Forum has allocated $500,000 over five years for the seminars and $500,000 for API's 50th anniversary endowment. API trains newspaper professionals from news and business departments.

The sessions are hosted by John Seigenthaler, founder of the First Amendment Center, and Ken Paulson, president of the Freedom Forum and former editor of USA Today.

Newspaper executives, editors, circulation directors, advertising managers and other professionals who register for API training programs at its headquarters in Reston, Va., also visit the Newseum for seminars on how the First Amendment guarantees press freedom; threats to the First Amendment; how and why it became part of the Bill of Rights, and related topics.

For more information, call Gene Policinski, 615/727-1303.