The First Amendment “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.”

First Principles The First Amendment affirms the freedom of the individual. Free expression is the foundation — the cornerstone — of democracy. The First Amendment tells the government to keep its “hands off” our religion, our ideas, our ability to express ourselves. Other people have rights, too. When rights collide, government must balance them. The First Amendment helps us make choices.

A Free Press: America’s Fourth Estate “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” -- Thomas Jefferson Why would Jefferson say such a thing? Why did Jefferson believe the role of a free press was so important? Do you think a free press is more or less important today?

The Tinker Standard Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School Dist Student speech cannot be censored as long as it does not “materially disrupt class work or involve substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others.”

The Hazelwood Standard Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988) Censorship of school- sponsored student expression is permissible when school officials can show that it is “reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns.”

Three Types of Student Web sites Sites that are offensive, obnoxious and insulting. Sites that are offensive, obnoxious and insulting, and also contain some sort of veiled threat of violence or of destruction of property. Sites that contain an outright blatant threat.

How Would You Decide These Cases? And what would your reasoning be?

The “Three R’s” of the First Amendment Rights -- Individual (Each of us is born with certain inalienable rights) Responsibilities -- Mutual (Each of us must accept the responsibility to guard the rights of others -- especially those with whom we most deeply disagree) Respect -- Universal (Each of us must commit to debate out differences with respect)