The First Amendment's Effect on Speech and the Press

Part of the Constitution’s First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech or of the press.”

These words are important to our freedom as Americans. It is because of this amendment that we are able to express what we think, how we feel, and what we believe in, either in words, action, or in print.

The media is especially affected by the First Amendment because it provides a way for people to express all of these things on a larger scale. Americans are able to print and speak both positive and negative ideas about the government, as well as other people or events (like opinions about war, movies, celebrities, etc) to a mass audience, and are completely protected.

Huge movements in our country’s history, like the Woman’s Rights Movement and the Civil Rights Movement, could not have been possible without the freedom to speak their beliefs and speak out against laws that were in place. The media allowed peoples’ messages be heard and have more of an impact on the rest of the country.

Some countries do not have this freedom, and limit speech and press. China, for example, does this to uphold their reputation and integrity and not let freedom of expression become a threat. People here are limited to what they can say about their government, and are therefore limited to the information they receive from the media.

Americans today have never experienced life without the First Amendment. Many take for granted the fact that we can speak and print what we want, have strong opinions, and be heard through the use of media. All of this is important to move forward and improve things in life that affect us.