Burning the chance to educate youth about respect and rights
By Gene Policinski - June 16, 2008
Just in time for Flag Day, a California public school principal appears to have managed, in one swoop and in the name of respecting the Stars and Stripes, to show a lack of respect for the First Amendment's protections for both free speech and a free press. » Full Story
Just in time for Flag Day, a California public school principal appears to have managed, in one swoop and in the name of respecting the Stars and Stripes, to show a lack of respect for the First Amendment's protections for both free speech and a free press. » Full Story
Party conventions will bring another test for free speech
By Gene Policinski - May 30, 2008
Even as this most participatory presidential primary season comes to a close, there are questions about how much free speech - and in what formats - will be exercised or permitted in the next act of the election drama: the GOP and Democratic national conventions this summer. » Full Story
Even as this most participatory presidential primary season comes to a close, there are questions about how much free speech - and in what formats - will be exercised or permitted in the next act of the election drama: the GOP and Democratic national conventions this summer. » Full Story
Cartoons, T-shirts and more: why the First Amendment protects what offends
By Gene Policinski - May 15, 2008
By Gene Policinski First Amendment Center Why does the First Amendment protect those who are showing and saying things many of us would rather not see or hear? That question was raised recently in three very different situations: -- News... » Full Story
By Gene Policinski First Amendment Center Why does the First Amendment protect those who are showing and saying things many of us would rather not see or hear? That question was raised recently in three very different situations: -- News... » Full Story
Teachers' private postings may make waves in school
By Gene Policinski - May 07, 2008
Free expression is an essential guarantee of the First Amendment - the freedom to speak and write as we will, without censorship by the government. But the freedom to express oneself doesn't necessarily provide a buffer against the reaction to... » Full Story
Free expression is an essential guarantee of the First Amendment - the freedom to speak and write as we will, without censorship by the government. But the freedom to express oneself doesn't necessarily provide a buffer against the reaction to... » Full Story
Diverse newsrooms contribute to public trust of press
By Gene Policinski - April 17, 2008
When should it matter what a reporter or a television correspondent looks like or where he or she comes from? The answer to that question is both "never" and "always." There is an argument made by some that ethnic or... » Full Story
:: Banning liquor ads in college newspapers doesn't work - April 10, 2008
:: Closed-door government lacks key ingredient: us - March 20, 2008
:: Rhubarb resumes over who owns sports info, images - March 07, 2008
:: Student wins battle over protecting immigration editorial - February 21, 2008
:: How not to handle a college newspaper dispute - February 08, 2008
:: Voters will decide if political attacks are too rough - January 25, 2008
:: Car talk: Hour may be getting late for the vanity PL8 - January 14, 2008
:: Look for '08 to be year of broadcast-regulation battles - January 04, 2008
:: On its birthday and every day, First Amendment matters - December 13, 2007
:: We saw it then, we see it now: how free press can protect us - November 29, 2007
:: Parade sponsors may refuse marchers with opposing views - November 15, 2007
:: Government meddling with press crosses the line - November 05, 2007
:: Open meetings, open records: It's the public's business - October 24, 2007
:: Journalist 'shield' - balancing openness, security - October 05, 2007
:: We don't teach - or encourage - First Amendment freedoms in school - September 20, 2007
:: Too much secrecy also a threat - September 06, 2007
:: Stifling protest: bad choice between law and order - August 23, 2007
:: We're strangling high school free speech, press - August 09, 2007
:: Bong hits and student journalism issues - July 31, 2007
:: Bong hits and student journalism issues - July 31, 2007
:: Saluting Seigenthaler, First Amendment champion - July 26, 2007
:: Reporters getting too close to sources risk losing public trust - July 16, 2007
:: Fireworks over journalists' donations raise issue of 'journalist as citizen' - June 28, 2007
:: American Muslims face double threat - June 21, 2007
:: FCC chairman pans common-sense ruling on 'fleeting expletives' - June 14, 2007
:: Internet expanding scope, meaning of 'free press' - May 31, 2007
:: Second sight deserves First Amendment protection - May 17, 2007
:: TV violence: more program information would be better than regulation - May 03, 2007
:: Amid Va. Tech horror: experiencing, not just getting, the news - April 20, 2007
:: School: 'Tolerance' editorial will not be tolerated - April 05, 2007
:: 'Bong Hits' case may clarify scope of student speech - March 23, 2007
:: When courtrooms peer into newsrooms, watch out - March 13, 2007
:: When these reporters make a promise, it's for keeps - February 26, 2007
:: Why we need a strong student press - February 12, 2007
:: Congressmen's letter a refreshing defense of press freedom - January 29, 2007
:: Free speech for a president and protesters - January 12, 2007
:: How will our freedoms fare in '07? - January 04, 2007
:: Fear spoils freedom's promise - December 18, 2006
:: The news media meltdown - November 30, 2006
:: Too much sex or too much law? - November 21, 2006
:: The news by official decree - November 02, 2006
:: The games censors play - October 19, 2006
:: When committing journalism becomes a crime - October 05, 2006
:: Locked in mortal combat with the media monster - September 21, 2006
:: danger - September 07, 2006
:: Spying as a form of censorship - August 25, 2006
:: Criminalizing Speech to Protect Secrets - August 11, 2006
:: When the censor within reaches out, watch out - July 27, 2006
:: Rating shock and awe at the movies - July 14, 2006
:: Free speech suffers a case of the cyber shakes - June 29, 2006
:: Does it matter that the press is under siege? - June 15, 2006
:: The flag amendment: Reverence confronts reason - June 01, 2006
:: Casting a digital driftnet over freedom - May 18, 2006
:: Watch out for studies about TV harming kids - May 09, 2006
:: Poking holes in our history in pursuit of leaks - April 20, 2006
:: FCC to TV viewers: Watch what we say - April 07, 2006
:: Secrecy makes democracy dysfunctional - March 09, 2006
:: Discouraging words: The war on information - February 23, 2006
:: Drawing fire and blood: free speech and religion - February 10, 2006
:: No place to hide: Privacy invasion and censorship - January 31, 2006
:: Too much secrecy is a challenge to justice - December 16, 2005
:: Racy downloads become more daring -- and portable - December 05, 2005
:: Leaks keep the ship of state afloat - November 18, 2005
:: The crime of speaking ill of your betters - November 03, 2005
:: Fear of dissent is a fear of freedom - October 20, 2005
:: New Supreme Court needs new First Amendment direction - October 06, 2005
:: Journalists in jail: bad news for a democracy - September 22, 2005
:: Constructing a red light district on the Internet - September 01, 2005
:: Censorship by any other name is so much easier - August 18, 2005
:: Video-game ratings: a tool or a weapon? - August 02, 2005
:: Patriot Act is Exhibit A on the risks of secrecy - July 15, 2005
:: Giving up a source or giving up freedom - July 05, 2005
:: Balancing our free speech rights away - June 16, 2005
:: When school grounds become free-speech battlegrounds - June 02, 2005
:: Press pays a price for anonymous sources - May 19, 2005
:: A question of priorities: bin Laden's privacy or your right to know? - May 05, 2005
:: Movie-sanitizing technology: clean flicks or dirty tricks? - April 22, 2005
:: Surrendering our choices to a sense of decency - April 07, 2005
:: Censors say the darnedest things - March 31, 2005
:: Government secrecy: dark cloud over an open society - March 13, 2005
:: A more mature approach to video-game violence - February 20, 2005
:: What we can't know hurts us - February 03, 2005
:: Getting a grip on our right to be offended - January 20, 2005
:: Criminalizing terrorist speech is tempting but wrong - January 06, 2005
:: Silencing ourselves by censoring others - December 28, 2004
:: Testing freedom: A year in the life of the First Amendment - December 10, 2004
:: Journalists need a get-out-of-jail-free card - November 24, 2004
:: Pounding the press over too much bias ? and objectivity - November 11, 2004
:: Taking prisoners in the war on journalism - October 22, 2004
:: Do we really want to watch everything on tape delay? - October 07, 2004
:: Campaign discourse on a downhill plunge - September 24, 2004
:: A government thumb on the remote control - August 27, 2004
:: Journalists don't do the crime but risk the time - August 12, 2004
:: Celebrity privacy claims trump public justice - July 30, 2004
:: Trying to stifle protest is not good for democracy - July 16, 2004
:: High court narrowly avoids clean sweep against free speech - July 04, 2004
:: Over-reaching secrecy undermines America's safety - June 20, 2004
:: State Secrets: How the Administration has resisted FOIA - February 05, 2004
When should it matter what a reporter or a television correspondent looks like or where he or she comes from? The answer to that question is both "never" and "always." There is an argument made by some that ethnic or... » Full Story
:: Banning liquor ads in college newspapers doesn't work - April 10, 2008
:: Closed-door government lacks key ingredient: us - March 20, 2008
:: Rhubarb resumes over who owns sports info, images - March 07, 2008
:: Student wins battle over protecting immigration editorial - February 21, 2008
:: How not to handle a college newspaper dispute - February 08, 2008
:: Voters will decide if political attacks are too rough - January 25, 2008
:: Car talk: Hour may be getting late for the vanity PL8 - January 14, 2008
:: Look for '08 to be year of broadcast-regulation battles - January 04, 2008
:: On its birthday and every day, First Amendment matters - December 13, 2007
:: We saw it then, we see it now: how free press can protect us - November 29, 2007
:: Parade sponsors may refuse marchers with opposing views - November 15, 2007
:: Government meddling with press crosses the line - November 05, 2007
:: Open meetings, open records: It's the public's business - October 24, 2007
:: Journalist 'shield' - balancing openness, security - October 05, 2007
:: We don't teach - or encourage - First Amendment freedoms in school - September 20, 2007
:: Too much secrecy also a threat - September 06, 2007
:: Stifling protest: bad choice between law and order - August 23, 2007
:: We're strangling high school free speech, press - August 09, 2007
:: Bong hits and student journalism issues - July 31, 2007
:: Bong hits and student journalism issues - July 31, 2007
:: Saluting Seigenthaler, First Amendment champion - July 26, 2007
:: Reporters getting too close to sources risk losing public trust - July 16, 2007
:: Fireworks over journalists' donations raise issue of 'journalist as citizen' - June 28, 2007
:: American Muslims face double threat - June 21, 2007
:: FCC chairman pans common-sense ruling on 'fleeting expletives' - June 14, 2007
:: Internet expanding scope, meaning of 'free press' - May 31, 2007
:: Second sight deserves First Amendment protection - May 17, 2007
:: TV violence: more program information would be better than regulation - May 03, 2007
:: Amid Va. Tech horror: experiencing, not just getting, the news - April 20, 2007
:: School: 'Tolerance' editorial will not be tolerated - April 05, 2007
:: 'Bong Hits' case may clarify scope of student speech - March 23, 2007
:: When courtrooms peer into newsrooms, watch out - March 13, 2007
:: When these reporters make a promise, it's for keeps - February 26, 2007
:: Why we need a strong student press - February 12, 2007
:: Congressmen's letter a refreshing defense of press freedom - January 29, 2007
:: Free speech for a president and protesters - January 12, 2007
:: How will our freedoms fare in '07? - January 04, 2007
:: Fear spoils freedom's promise - December 18, 2006
:: The news media meltdown - November 30, 2006
:: Too much sex or too much law? - November 21, 2006
:: The news by official decree - November 02, 2006
:: The games censors play - October 19, 2006
:: When committing journalism becomes a crime - October 05, 2006
:: Locked in mortal combat with the media monster - September 21, 2006
:: danger - September 07, 2006
:: Spying as a form of censorship - August 25, 2006
:: Criminalizing Speech to Protect Secrets - August 11, 2006
:: When the censor within reaches out, watch out - July 27, 2006
:: Rating shock and awe at the movies - July 14, 2006
:: Free speech suffers a case of the cyber shakes - June 29, 2006
:: Does it matter that the press is under siege? - June 15, 2006
:: The flag amendment: Reverence confronts reason - June 01, 2006
:: Casting a digital driftnet over freedom - May 18, 2006
:: Watch out for studies about TV harming kids - May 09, 2006
:: Poking holes in our history in pursuit of leaks - April 20, 2006
:: FCC to TV viewers: Watch what we say - April 07, 2006
:: Secrecy makes democracy dysfunctional - March 09, 2006
:: Discouraging words: The war on information - February 23, 2006
:: Drawing fire and blood: free speech and religion - February 10, 2006
:: No place to hide: Privacy invasion and censorship - January 31, 2006
:: Too much secrecy is a challenge to justice - December 16, 2005
:: Racy downloads become more daring -- and portable - December 05, 2005
:: Leaks keep the ship of state afloat - November 18, 2005
:: The crime of speaking ill of your betters - November 03, 2005
:: Fear of dissent is a fear of freedom - October 20, 2005
:: New Supreme Court needs new First Amendment direction - October 06, 2005
:: Journalists in jail: bad news for a democracy - September 22, 2005
:: Constructing a red light district on the Internet - September 01, 2005
:: Censorship by any other name is so much easier - August 18, 2005
:: Video-game ratings: a tool or a weapon? - August 02, 2005
:: Patriot Act is Exhibit A on the risks of secrecy - July 15, 2005
:: Giving up a source or giving up freedom - July 05, 2005
:: Balancing our free speech rights away - June 16, 2005
:: When school grounds become free-speech battlegrounds - June 02, 2005
:: Press pays a price for anonymous sources - May 19, 2005
:: A question of priorities: bin Laden's privacy or your right to know? - May 05, 2005
:: Movie-sanitizing technology: clean flicks or dirty tricks? - April 22, 2005
:: Surrendering our choices to a sense of decency - April 07, 2005
:: Censors say the darnedest things - March 31, 2005
:: Government secrecy: dark cloud over an open society - March 13, 2005
:: A more mature approach to video-game violence - February 20, 2005
:: What we can't know hurts us - February 03, 2005
:: Getting a grip on our right to be offended - January 20, 2005
:: Criminalizing terrorist speech is tempting but wrong - January 06, 2005
:: Silencing ourselves by censoring others - December 28, 2004
:: Testing freedom: A year in the life of the First Amendment - December 10, 2004
:: Journalists need a get-out-of-jail-free card - November 24, 2004
:: Pounding the press over too much bias ? and objectivity - November 11, 2004
:: Taking prisoners in the war on journalism - October 22, 2004
:: Do we really want to watch everything on tape delay? - October 07, 2004
:: Campaign discourse on a downhill plunge - September 24, 2004
:: A government thumb on the remote control - August 27, 2004
:: Journalists don't do the crime but risk the time - August 12, 2004
:: Celebrity privacy claims trump public justice - July 30, 2004
:: Trying to stifle protest is not good for democracy - July 16, 2004
:: High court narrowly avoids clean sweep against free speech - July 04, 2004
:: Over-reaching secrecy undermines America's safety - June 20, 2004
:: State Secrets: How the Administration has resisted FOIA - February 05, 2004