The First Amendment Journalism I Mr. Bruno

First Amendment to the Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

First Amendment to the Constitution Ratified in 1791 Part of Bill of Rights –Original 10 Amendments to Constitution

First Amendment to the Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Freedom of Religion Prevents government from punishing someone for practicing a religion –Persecution Role of religion in government is often debated –How much influence should religion have? –Should one have more influence over the other?

First Amendment to the Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Freedom of Speech Allows people to speak their minds, say what they wish Major exceptions to this rule are: –Clear and Present Danger: Words that put people in immediate physical danger (i.e., yelling “fire” in a crowded theater when there is no fire) –Slanderous language

First Amendment to the Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Freedom of Press Allows media to print what they wish Major exception to this rule is libel –Spoken, written, or pictorial material that unjustly damages someone’s reputation or exposes him or her to ridicule.

First Amendment to the Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Right to Protest Citizens can question the government They can oppose the government They can gather peacefully in order to protest –It’s when a protest turns violent that it becomes “illegal”