First Amendment Statement

The constitutional amendments were approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification
since 1789. Being arguably significant to U.S. citizens, The First Amendment states,”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.” The gravity of freedom
of speech, as well as the press, has a significant stature for journalist. However, whats does the
First Amendment mean to journalist?

The Amendment is generally understood to prevent the government from interfering with
distribution of information and opinions; the clause that expresses freedom of speech and of the
press shares that comprehension. As a journalist in America, the First Amendment gives me an
advantage to set forth my skills as well as convey my opinions, beliefs, and personality regarding
issues that could benefit either my nation or community. The ratification of the 1st amendment
and the development of technology has given birth to the rise of mass media, who use the first
amendment like armor in order to report that facts, or fiction, of the world. With the changing
times, the law continues to protect and defend the rights intended for us by the founding fathers.

As an adult in the 21st century I am given the advantage to use social media as a platform to
express my First Amendment rights. Social media is used as a foot-place to create as well as
evaluate and express a variety of speech. In addition, there are numerous ways I have used my
First Amendment right as an advantage.For intense, there has been times on social media I have
created as well as shared post that state my personal opinion on certain issues regarding politics
or social movements. Nonetheless, the First Amendment provides certain censorship regarding if
something is seen as obscene depending on contemporary community standards, and whether it
has any literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

In addition, as a journalism major, the First Amendment provides me with the protection to
express myself as I believe, unlike other countries who citizens do not have the advantage. As
U.S citizens sometime we fail to appreciate the privilege of not having a limit or bearer on
speaking our truths. With such an impact towards my career this constitutional right gives me the
opportunity to convey my thoughts in creative ways whether it's filming propaganda piece or
reporting a story regarding social injustice as a journalist I am given the opportunity to express
my views in such ways.

In conclusion, the first amendment constitutes the protection of me as a journalist, a student and
a person in general. It allows me to be free in my speech without fear of prosecution. As a
student expressing myself freely in what I turn in. As a person, I am able to express my opinions
on social media. As famous theologian Hugh Black once said, “The reason for the First
Amendment is to make the people of this country free to think, speak, and write and worship as
they wish....”