Freedom of the Press
Essential Question
What are the rights and responsibilities of a free press?
The Beginning of the Freedom of Press
in 1733 officials arrested John Peter Zenger for printing a false statement that damaged the reputation of the governor of New York. Andrew Hamilton, Zenger's attorney, argued that Zenger could publish whatever he wished as long as it was true. Jury members believed that colonists had a right to voice their ideas openly and found him not guilty.
The Zenger case was the first major case establishing freedom of the press in British North America. Today this is an important right of all Americans.
The Freedom of Press
The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and of the press. This means that Americans have the right to express their own ideas and views. They also have the right to hear the ideas and views of others. The free press functions as a watchdog that can investigate and report on government wrongdoing or success. It educates voters on the government's and representatives' activities so that when election season comes voters can make educated decisions.
Freedom of speech does not mean that people can say anything they want to, however. The Constitution does not protect slander-false statements meant to damage someone's reputation. Libel, or intentionally writing a lie that harms another person, is not protected, either. The Supreme Court has also ruled that speech that endangers public safety is not protected. For example, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes declared in 1919 that falsely shouting "Fire" in a crowded theater is not protected as free speech.
Activity 1: NEWSELA "No monument for Madison but one of his legacies is freedom of the press."
Sign in to Newsela and read the article "No monument for Madison but one of his legacies is freedom of the press." Remember to annotate the article as you read and complete the quiz once you have finished reading.
Discussion Questions
How does freedom of the press protect our democracy?
What are two responsibilities of a free press?
Activity 2: What are the rights and responsibilities of the free press?
Using the information from this lesson, answer the questions in a thinking map. Complete this assignment digitally or on paper. It will be collected in your portfolio.
Activity 3: Freedom of Press Monument
Imagine that you are an artist, and you have been hired to design a monument to the Freedom of Press. It must inform onlookers about the rights and responsibilities of a free press. Draw a picture of your monument (no stick figures) and write a paragraph explaining how it inform onlookers about the rights and responsibilities of a free press.