1. The First Amendment Continued . . .

2. “Congress shall make no law . . . Abridging . . . Freedom . . . of the press”
Press = Media (Newspapers, T.V., Magazines, Websites, etc.)

3. Why is Freedom of the Press important?
It allows us to keep better tabs on our Government
Allows us to stay current on the important issues of our time
Journalists do the work that we are too busy to do
Staying educated as active citizens

4. People v. Croswell
In 1804 the Supreme Court heard a case involving a dispute between two different newpapers
Both newspapers were controlled by different political parties
Croswell wrote for the “Balance” (Pro John Adams, and the Federalist Party)
Callender wrote for the “Bee” (Pro Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republican Party)

5. People v. Croswell continued
The question of the case was whether or not to sentence Croswell to jail for saying bad things about President Jefferson
Alexander Hamilton defended Croswell in court and claimed that “truth in the press” prevents newspapers from being punished
Lying in the press is called “Libel” and is illegal

6. People v. Croswell concluded
Ultimately the court split in its vote
A tie meant the original conviction stood
However Croswell was never sentenced (nothing happened to him)
Hamilton’s argument was that someone accused of libel in court has the right to prove that the things they said are true
Probably the reason why celebrities don’t take tabloid magazines to court

7. New York Times v. Sullivan
During the Civil Rights Movement The New York Times wrote an article saying that the city of Montgomery Alabama had MLK Jr. arrested on a false charge
The city did this in order to stop “integration” in Alabama
Montgomery city commissioner filed a lawsuit against the NY Times claiming that by saying these things they had damaged him personally

8. NY Times v. Sullivan continued . . .
Supreme Court ruled unanimously for the NY Times
Citing that statements in the Press (even false ones) are protected by the 1st amendment as long as they are not made to intentionally ruin somebody’s life

9. Hustler v. Falwell
Larry Flint (CEO of Hustler Inc.) printed a political cartoon that suggested that
Jerry Falwell T.V. minister, author, and critic of Hustler had an incestuous relationship with his mother in an outhouse (not really, just in the cartoon)
Falwell filed suit against Hustler Magazine

10. Hustler v. Falwell continued . . .
The Supreme Court decision was unanimous in favor of Hustler
Ruling that Political Parodies (even offensive ones) are protected by the 1st amendment

11. NY Times v. United States
The New York Times wanted to publish a report on The United States Governments involvement in the Vietnam War
President Richard Nixon tried to stop the Times from publishing the article using “Executive Power”
This was known as “The Pentagon Papers” case

12. NY Times v. United States
The Court ruled that President Nixon was wrong and decided in favor of the NY Times “The Pentagon Papers” were then published
The Decision of the court ruled that the word “security” cannot be used to violate the first amendment as long as
The safety of American Military Forces will not be put in danger in any way.