Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: First Amendment Handbook: Freedom of the Press
Very informative page focusing on the guidelines for freedom of the press, the first amendment. Offers examples and tenets to follow. Geared towards professionals but also accessible to students.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Freedom of the Press: The Trial of Peter Zenger
In this lesson, 5th graders learn about the trial of Peter Zenger and how it laid the foundation for the freedom of the press. They will examine primary source documents and hold a mock trial, ending with a discussion of the First...
University of Maryland
Voices of Democracy: John F. Kennedy, "Address: "The President and Press" 1961
Read President John F. Kennedy's speech, "The President and the Press," which he delivered before the American Newspaper Publishers Association (ANPA) on April 27, 1961. In this speech, he attempted to explain and justify the Bay of Pigs...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Freedom of the Press
Check out this interactive timeline on the history of freedom of press in the United States.
Other
Committee to Protect Journalists: Attacks on the Press 1999: Malaysia
A view of the authoritarian reputation of the Malaysian government as an example of the government's control of mass communications illustrated in their Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984. Read how this law is used to dominate...
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: The Pentagon Papers Trial
When is the freedom of the press more important than classified foreign policy information? The Pentagon Papers Trial attempts to answer this constitutional quandary. Included in this site is a summary of the trial, the actual Pentagon...
University of Oregon
University of Oregon: Renascence Editions: Regulation of the Press [Pdf]
At this site from the University of Oregon you can read Defoe's arguments for a free press as they were published in 1704.
BBC
Bbc News: Bush and Blair Admit Iraq Errors
Article from leading British news service detailing a press conference in May, 2006, in which President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, admit mistakes in Iraq, but urge support for the new government. There is also...
Other
The International Press Institute
The International Press Institute describes itself as "a global network of journalists, editors and media executives, dedicated to freedom of the press and improving the standards and practises of journalism." To that end, this site...
Other
Baltimore Md: Mary Katherine Goddard
A brief and concise history of publisher and editor Mary Katherine Goddard. Goddard was an early activist and advocate of Freedom of the Press.
BBC
Bbc News: Ghana Celebrates First 50 Years
Ghana's celebration of fifty years of freedom from colonial rule is the focus of this BBC feature. Richly supplemented with photos, audio slideshows, speeches and background articles, the article provides lots of information on Ghana's...
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
This non-profit organization collects instances of First Amendment and Freedom of Information cases throughout the United States and reports on the facts and outcomes. An interesting cross section from this section of our law.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Press Asserts Its Freedom
The role of the free press in Colonial American literary and political history. Includes links to Alexander Hamilton and charters involving free press.
Other
Freedom Forum: Lesson Plans for the First Amendment
These lessons address constitutional principles and contemporary issues involving the First Amendment. They intend to have explore how freedoms began and how they operate in today's world. Students will discuss just how far individual...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The Iraq War
News archive, with articles, audio, video, and interactive resources, on the initial intervention in Iraq, beginning with pre-invasion military buildup (fall 2002) and ending with President George W. Bush's declaration (spring 2003) that...
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: 9 Keys to Avoiding Invasion of Privacy Suits
This Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press article "9 Keys to Avoiding Invasion of Privacy Suits" list things that a photojournalist may want to consider before taking or publishing a picture.
Choices Program, Brown University
Choices: Teaching With the News: The 20th Anniversary of Tiananmen
Multi-media lesson in which learners consider the concept of censorship and analyze the merits of censorship versus freedom of information while learning about the protests in Beijing in 1989. Note: Some video content may not load in...
Other
Freedom Forum: Privacy and the Press
This article discusses the issues of privacy and the press over time.
Other
The Freedom Forum Online
This Freedom Forum site is dedicated to promoting a free press. Journalism education and "improving understanding between the media and the public" are a major focus. Budding journalists will enjoy this site. Includes links to news...
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: State of Ohio, Ex. Rel. (Amicus Brief)
A "friend of the court" document in which the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press explains why it believes that The Columbus Dispatch newspaper had the right to access government information for possible publication.
Other
First Amendment Center: Freedom Forum, Newseum
This First Amendment Center "newseum" offers dozens of reports, articles, papers, and pages collected by the Freedom Forum. Includes today's news as well as archives.
Other
Brass Check: Tell the Truth and Run George Seldes
Read about George Seldes (1890-1995), a muckraker and press critic. Read some of his writings from his column "In Fact." Read his autobiography and a brief biography. There are links to other sites about George Seldes. Site by Brass Check.
PBS
Pbs: The Black Press: Newspapers
At this PBS site, read about the histories of eight African-American newspapers: The Chicago Defender, The California Eagle, The Afro-American, The Pittsburgh Courier, Amsterdam News, Atlanta Daily World, Freedom's Journal, and Norfolk...
Other
Jewish News: Gorbachev, Shamir Mark Decade of Soviet Aliyah
This article provides insight into religious persecution in the former Soviet Union and Gorbachev's efforts to curb intolerance.