The United States of America has one of the world 's powerful systems of legal fortification for freedom of the press. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides the foundation assurance of press freedom and freedom of speech. In this essay I will be keen on highlighting the significance of the First Amendment and relating its motive of freedom to our country’s system of press freedom.
Faith in the magnitude of a press free of governmental control has stayed stable right through American history. America’s Founding Fathers affirmed the fundamental right of citizens to be informed about all sides of an issue without governmental interference. Thomas Jefferson even went so far as to write: “If it were left to me to decide whether we should have a government without a free press or a free press without a government, I would prefer the latter.” (The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, 2009). It is the reason why, among other things, the United States has no ministry of information to regulate the activities of journalists, no requirement that journalists be registered; and no requirement that they be members of a union. The First Amendment states,
“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.” (Smith, 1997)
In clarification this means that the First Amendment of the United States Constitution prevents the government from setting up or establishing an official religion of the country. American Citizens have the freedom to attend any house of worship of their choice. It stops the government from making any laws that may stop people from saying what they feel or
Bibliography: MISA. (2009). African Media Barometer. Windhoek: Media Institute Southern Africa. Smith, M. (1997). Electronic Journals of the U.S Information Agency. Issues of Democracy , Vol. 2 No. 1. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution. (2009, February 23). Retrieved October 03, 2012, from In Direct Essays: The First Amendment to the United States Constitution. (2009, February 23). In Direhttp://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/200187.html