NEWS AND VIEWS

Inside the First Amendment • Religion Commentary | | August 19, 2014

‘Cross at Ground Zero’: History lesson or state religion?

The First Amendment separates church from state, but not religion from public life – and it doesn’t require equal time or balanced treatment for all faiths and beliefs.

Inside the First Amendment • Press Commentary | | August 18, 2014

Media and Missouri: What the heck is going on?

Freedom to report the news necessarily means the freedom to gather it, and police in Ferguson, Mo., have blatantly tried to stop journalists from doing their jobs.

Speech Analysis | | August 18, 2014

Attorney can quote judicial opinions in advertising

Federal appeals panel finds quotes lauding attorney’s ability are truthful and not misleading.

Inside the First Amendment • Religion Commentary | | July 30, 2014

In a world of sectarian violence, what can be done?

Amid persecutions of Christians, Muslims and other faiths around the globe, Face to Faith is a beacon of hope.

Inside the First Amendment | | July 25, 2014

Examining the new importance of ‘where’ we speak

Supreme Court will look at question of whether threats made in social media can be considered ‘true threats.’

Inside the First Amendment • Religion Commentary • Supreme Court Case | | July 24, 2014

Beyond the outrage, is Hobby Lobby decision a win-win?

Supreme Court ruling is neither the all-out assault on women’s rights alleged by some on the left nor the major expansion of religious freedom trumpeted by many on the right.

First Amendment Analysis • Supreme Court Case | | July 23, 2014

A positive Supreme Court term for the First Amendment

But increasingly narrow holdings, exceptions for national security, rights for corporations leave questions about what direction Court’s First Amendment jurisprudence will go.

Speech Commentary | | July 17, 2014

Telling the police to f*** off: risky First Amendment business

Although some courts have protected some obscene rants directed at cops, you still might want to be careful if you get pulled over.

First Amendment Commentary | | July 12, 2014

John Seigenthaler: A champion of the First Amendment

Crusading journalist never retired from his passion for the First Amendment, the sense that every voice has value.

First Amendment News | | July 11, 2014

Duff: We have lost ‘a champion for freedom’

Statement from James C. Duff, CEO of Freedom Forum, Newseum and Newseum Institute, on the death of John Seigenthaler.

Inside the First Amendment | | July 11, 2014

‘-45-’ — Remembering a man who championed freedom

A great man, a great journalist, a great lover of freedom has died, leaving a lasting legacy.

Speech Analysis • Supreme Court Case | | July 8, 2014

Court limits Garcetti – at least a little

Justices reject argument that 2006 decision sharply curtailing public employees’ free speech applied in a case involving court testimony.

Speech Commentary | | July 7, 2014

Cannibal Cop: freedom for thoughts, fantasies we hate

By Clay Calvert Ruling that throws out conviction of police officer for conspiracy to commit kidnapping on basis of grisly online posts strikes blow against dangerous notion of ‘thought crimes.’

Inside the First Amendment • State Of The First Amendment Commentary | | June 26, 2014

In new poll, marriage equality beats religious objections

State of the First Amendment survey finds majorities support same-sex health benefits and requiring wedding businesses to serve gay couples, religious beliefs notwithstanding.

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About The First Amendment Center

We support the First Amendment and build understanding of its core freedoms through education, information and entertainment.

The center serves as a forum for the study and exploration of free-expression issues, including freedom of speech, of the press and of religion, and the rights to assemble and to petition the government.

Founded by John Seigenthaler, the First Amendment Center is an operating program of the Freedom Forum and is associated with the Newseum and the Diversity Institute. The center has offices in the John Seigenthaler Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

The center’s programs, including the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum Institute, provide education and information to the public and groups including First Amendment scholars and experts, educators, government policy makers, legal experts and students. The center is nonpartisan and does not lobby, litigate or provide legal advice. See First Amendment Center Fact Sheet and FAQs. See internships info.

The center’s website, www.firstamendmentcenter.org, is one of the most authoritative sources of news, information and commentary in the nation on First Amendment issues. It features daily updates on news about First Amendment-related developments, as well as detailed reports about U.S. Supreme Court cases involving the First Amendment, and commentary, analysis and special reports on free expression, press freedom and religious-liberty issues. Support the work of the First Amendment Center.

1 For All

1 for All is a national nonpartisan program designed to build understanding and support for First Amendment freedoms. 1 for All provides teaching materials to the nation’s schools, supports educational events on America’s campuses and reminds the public that the First Amendment serves everyone, regardless of faith, race, gender or political leanings. It is truly one amendment for all. Visit 1 for All at http://1forall.us/

Help tomorrow’s citizens find their voice: Teach the First Amendment

The most basic liberties guaranteed to Americans – embodied in the 45 words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – assure Americans a government that is responsible to its citizens and responsive to their wishes.

These 45 words are as alive and important today as they were more than 200 years ago. These liberties are neither liberal nor conservative, Democratic nor Republican – they are the basis for our representative democratic form of government.

We know from studies beginning in 1997 by the nonpartisan First Amendment Center, and from studies commissioned by the Knight Foundation and others, that few adult Americans or high school students can name the individual five freedoms that make up the First Amendment.

The lesson plans – drawn from materials prepared by the Newseum and the First Amendment Center – will draw young people into an exploration of how their freedoms began and how they operate in today’s world. Students will discuss just how far individual rights extend, examining rights in the school environment and public places. The lessons may be used in history and government, civics, language arts and journalism, art and debate classes. They may be used in sections or in their entirety. Many of these lesson plans indicate an overall goal, offer suggestions on how to teach the lesson and list additional resources and enrichment activities.

See more about lesson plans.

First Amendment Moot Court Competition

This site no longer is being updated … And the competition itself is moving to Washington, D.C., where the Newseum Institute’s First Amendment Center is co-sponsoring the “Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup National First Amendment Moot Court Competition,” March 18-19, in partnership with the Columbus School of Law, of the Catholic University of America.

During the two-day competition in February, each team will participate in a minimum of four rounds, arguing a hypothetical based on a current First Amendment controversy before panels of accomplished jurists, legal scholars and attorneys.

For more information on the 2016 competition, including the competition registration form, go to newseuminstitute.org/mootcourt/

FIRST AMENDMENT CENTER ARCHIVES

State of the First Amendment survey reports

The State of the First Amendment surveys, commissioned since 1997 by the First Amendment Center and Newseum, are a regular check on how Americans view their first freedoms of speech, press, assembly, religion and petition.

The periodic surveys examine public attitudes toward freedom of speech, press, religion and the rights of assembly and petition; and sample public opinion on contemporary issues involving those freedoms. See the reports.