The First Amendment

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 to assemble peacefully, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The first and the most significant of the amendments to our Constitution is the First Amendment. “The amendment that established our freedoms as citizens of our new confederation.” The First Amendment insures freedom of speech and of the press.

The First Amendment ratification was completed on December 15, 1791. This happened when the eleventh State, which is Virginia, approved this amendment. At that time there were fourteen States in the Union.

There are many examples that show use of The First Amendment and there are also many examples that show breaking of it. One of the major organizations that exercise free speech is the press. The press has come up with the phrase, "It is the people's First Amendment right to know." One example is 9/11. The press had the right to release information to the public, but they had to use judgment in what they released. Certain news that they might release could put people in danger, therefore taking away the right of all people to be safe. Freedom is what our country is based on and we must make an effort to censor certain critical information. We must also edit the freedom of speech when it takes away from other rights that each citizen is guaranteed, like the right to privacy, or to a fair judicial process. There must also be laws that prevent false information from being released, intentionally or unintentionally. It is easy to take advantage of a person, by offering a new product that promises to do what no other product could do. It is the responsibility of the government to make sure that the people aren't being lied to, and that this new product is not just a way to cheat people.

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion. This is a part that is often taken away from individuals.