Why You Should Care About the First Amendment
The First Amendment gives each of us freedom:
- To set our own values.
- To express ourselves openly on whatever topic we want without fear of government control or punishment.
- To join with others to make our views known and perhaps create positive change on behalf of all of us.
These freedoms can help define who we are as individuals in a complex, changing, self-governing society.
Religion
This freedom protects all – even the growing number of religiously unaffiliated, or “nones” – as we each decide what values, principles and beliefs shape our lives, by forbidding the government from telling us what to think or believe.
Sometimes called the right of conscience, it protects all from action by government to control our thoughtful independence and prohibits the government from supporting any one faith or personal belief over others.
Speech
This freedom protects the expression of our individual values, ideas and opinions and prevents the government from stifling the spoken word and from controlling any of the ways we reach out to others. The government cannot control or punish any of us for what we choose to say, with very few exceptions that include defamation, true threats, obscenity, fraud and incitement to violent acts that endanger others. The government cannot silence any of us for the way we choose to speak – subject to reasonable “time, place and manner” rules so we don’t unfairly intrude on others’ rights.
Press
This freedom protects our right to gather and report news and information, whether that is a news story, broadcast or post, a restaurant review or a political opinion. The information gathered by journalists allows people to make decisions and participate in democracy, such as by voting or petitioning the government.
Assembly
This freedom protects our right to gather with people who hold the same views, whether that is in a meeting room, a stadium rally or with a single other person on a sidewalk. It is a clear path from developing our individual views to reaching out to others and meeting with those who share or support your views as a means of organizing and amplifying a message to make change or support the status quo.
Petition
The least-known freedom protects the ultimate use of the other four freedoms to defend and refine our system of laws and self-government. It protects us when speaking out to those in power, seeking change or asking for no change. It may protect actual petitions you might sign. It also protects speaking out at a local city council session or school board meeting. And it ensures our right to gather with others to hire someone else – a lobbyist, for example – to go to the government on our behalf.
Keep in mind:
The First Amendment only restrains the government’s power – not that of parents or private employers, for example.
What Is Free Expression?
See what the First Amendment has to say about free expression.
First Amendment-ish
Free speech questions where the First Amendment doesn’t apply.
The First Amendment in action
Protecting the First Amendment rights of others can be very hard to do. But defending these core freedoms for others – even those we strongly disagree with – protects our freedoms from anyone else who would take them away from us.
Here are some examples of people who exercised their First Amendment rights – and protected ours in the process:
Alberto Ibargüen: A Vision to Reinvent Local News
We explore the impact of the 2022 Free Expression Awards honorees.
For These 5 Americans, the First Amendment Is an Everyday Essential
It’s 45 words to live by each day.
Perspective: 5 U.S. Olympic Athletes Who Flexed Their First Amendment Muscles
These U.S. Olympic athletes flexed their muscles for freedom. Some paid a price for speaking out. But all led change.
Perspective: Sikh Americans Defend Religious Freedom For All
Being an American means you do not have to choose between your deepest beliefs and your country – thanks, in part, to the work of these Indian Americans.
The First Amendment Protects the Unsavory – and All of Us Too!
Many of our most important First Amendment freedoms have been advanced thanks to unsavory characters.
U.S. Rep. John Lewis: A First Amendment Champion
Few people in history have so exemplified the hopes of the nation’s founders that the First Amendment would enable future generations to make this country a better place.
Why the Freedom Forum cares about the First Amendment
The Freedom Forum views the First Amendment as the cornerstone of our government by, for and of the people. We envision a nation where everyone knows, understands, values and defends those freedoms. And we believe that encouraging the broad understanding and vigorous use of these fundamental freedoms by the people is the best way to preserve and protect the First Amendment for future generations.
It’s not just us – Americans care about the First Amendment
Our conversations with people of all ages from all over the country show that we are not alone in our love for the First Amendment.
More than 90% of those we surveyed in 2020 and again in 2022 value the First Amendment as vital.
61% say the First Amendment can help bridge divisions in our country.
Survey Says We’re Divided About Our Rights — and First Amendment Could Bridge Divisions
Where Americans stand on the First Amendment in 2022.
4 First Amendment ‘Where America Stands’ findings that surprised experts (and 3 that didn’t)
A wide range of First Amendment advocates and experts weigh in on what Americans say about the First Amendment.
Learn more about the First Amendment
The Freedom Forum can help you better understand the First Amendment, how it works and how it affects you:
What Speech Is Protected by the First Amendment?
What speech is protected by the First Amendment? What speech isn’t? Learn all about protected speech in this guide.
What Is Section 230 and Why Should I Care?
Get the essentials on one of the most consequential laws governing speech on the internet.
Can Government Officials Block You Online?
Can government officials get blocked – or block you?
When Did the Jan. 6 Insurrection Move Past the First Amendment?
The Jan. 6 insurrection started as a rally protected by the First Amendment, but within hours moved outside its protections.
Perspective: Protect assembly and petition by preserving listening at public meetings
Two of the least-known First Amendment freedoms are being tested.
Perspective: Assaults on Local Reporters are a Slap in the Face of Our Right to Know
A growing trend should trouble all Americans see the U.S. as an example of freedom to the world.