Gazette part of national drive to support First Amendment

It may be hard to believe in this nation's third century of existence but guaranteeing free speech rights in writing was controversial in 1788 when the U.S. Constitution was ratified. So controversial, in fact, that the First Amendment we now hold dear was not part of the original Constitution.

The majority of those framing the Constitution didn't think it was necessary. Some did, though, arguing that basic freedoms needed to be included in the document. Eventually, they won out and amended the Constitution. The first 10 amendments were adopted on Dec. 15, 1791, when Virginia's ratification put the Bill of Rights over the top and into history.

Beginning on Thursday 23 Iowa newspapers – including The Gazette – and the Iowa Newspaper Association join hundreds of news outlets across the United States supporting an effort to promote and support the First Amendment. The timing is perfect, as we lead up to the nation's birthday a week from today.

The effort, led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE); the organization Newseum; its president, Ken Paulson; and the First Amendment Center is called “1 for All”. Its purpose is to build a national, non-partisan understanding of our First Amendment freedoms. You will see some displays in upcoming Gazettes explaining the amendment and how it impacts our lives as Americans.

Interestingly, the folks behind “1 for All” point out, only one American in 25 can name the First Amendment's five freedoms.

Also unknown to some people may be that James Madison, a chief architect of the Constitution, initially was lukewarm to whether including the Bill of Rights in the document was necessary. He believed strongly in these rights, however, and eventually led the charge to write the amendments and adopt them. Another link.  

I note with interest that a lot of newspapers opposed including the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. The highly political newspapers of that day, whose editors thought nothing of maliciously attacking political opponents on news pages, took sides in the argument on whether these rights were assumed or needed to be codified.

Newspapers, broadcast news outlets and, now blogs and Web sites, often are accused of favoring one political view over another. But people driving these sources of news and information generally agree on one thing today – exploring issues and commenting on them without prior restraint is an important freedom.

A good source on the First Amendment's history can be found at the First Amendment Center, of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

The U.S. Constitution is accessible on the Internet, too, at www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html or at www.usconstitution.net

The five freedoms? Religion, speech, press, the right to petition and the right to assembly.

Other links:

10 ways to support the First Amendment

Q&A about the First Amendment

First Amendment controversies