First Amendment

According to the first amendment of the United States Bill of Rights “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.”

The first amendment is important to journalists specifically because it provides security to them and prevents the government from controlling what they publish.

Freedom of speech is important for everyone in the United States but is extra special for reporters because it allows them to free speech without any punishment from the government.

This goes hand in hand with the freedom of press, which unlike freedom of speech is explicit to the members of the press.

Although journalists to have these protections there are still guidelines that they must follow to avoid breaking or bending the law too much, such as libel.

Thanks to the first amendment journalists are protected and are able to voice their opinions and deliver news to the public, however they still must be cautious of abusing these rights.