First Amendment

The First Amendment is the first of ten amendments to the United States Constitution adopted in 1791 as the "Bill of Rights." It states, in full:


 * 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.

During the American Revolution, authorities carry forward on newspapers that spoke about the government. According to the First Amendment, you are allowed the freedom of the press. Zenger was a publisher for the New York Weekly, and it was a large company that liked to write about the government. When Zenger was put on trial, his lawyer argued that it is a right that it is allowed to speak how ever you want in the newspapers. When the trial was over, it became official that according to the First Amendment, Freedom of the Press, plays into all writing that is published.

The First Amendment is important in the world of Journalism because it gives journalists the right to say or print just about whatever we feel without government interference. It also gives readers, listeners, and watchers the chance to agree or disagree with what it is that we feel. While it may seem like journalists here in America can say whatever they please under "freedom of speech", there are a couple of limitations that come with it. A couple of things that are not covered under "freedom of speech" are things that may be offensive or harmful. "Freedom of Press" gives us the right to communicate with the American people through various outlets such as newspaper and internet.