1. The First Amendment
Part 8 – pg 140

2. Pg 140
Freedom of Religion
Many people have come to America because they wanted to practice religious freedom
To ensure this, the founders set the First Amendment to assure freedom of religion as a basic right

3. Pg 140
Some believe that “Freedom of Religion” means that there should be complete separation between church and government while others believe that there should not be any official church

4. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press
Pg 141
Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press
Dictators maintain power by silencing dissent (disagreement)
Shut down papers and jail or kill those who speak against the gov’t
1st Amendment protects press from gov’t censorship
Censorship: the power to review, change, or prevent, the publication of news
This also means that journalist cannot be arrested for criticizing the gov’t

5. They have the responsibility to present the news fairly and accurately
Pg 141
Even with “freedom of the press”, journalists do not have the right to print what ever they want
They have the responsibility to present the news fairly and accurately
May be sued for libel (the publication of false and malicious information that damages a person’s reputation)

6. Peaceful Assembly and Petition
Pg 141
Peaceful Assembly and Petition
Guarantees right to assemble in peaceful protests
Right to petition the gov’t for a change in policy