Rights of Journalists

The first amendment is a very important right that not only helps journalists but it ensures that the government will not infringe on the press. One of the main parts of the first amendment is freedom of the press which makes sure that the government does not censor or restrict information from the press.

The first amendment also talks about freedom of speech which means that people including journalists can speak their views and their ideas without retalitaion from the government.

Some of the rights that journalists have specific rights just like the regular public has but they also have certain rights that the public does not have. Laws called shield laws in many of the states make sure that if there is information that can be obtained in another way without making the journalist revel its source then that journalist will be let off the hook.

But some of these laws also have certain disclaimers that talk about and only allow the shield law to take effect only if there is another way to get information. In some cases the law is repealed and the journalists are forced to give up information and sources.