Posts Tagged ‘Romney’

Inside the First Amendment • Religion Commentary |

Mitt, Mormons, and the religious test that wasn’t

With Romney’s candidacy, we moved closer to the First Amendment promise of full religious freedom — a level playing field in the public square for citizens of all faiths and none.

Religion News |

IRS not enforcing rules on churches and politics

Official says tax agency has suspended audits of churches suspected of breaching federal restrictions on political activity.

Religion In Public Life News |

Romney opening up, a little, about his Mormon religion

GOP candidate treads carefully in discussing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in that many Americans view it skeptically.

Inside the First Amendment • Religion Commentary |

In presidential race, the religious test that wasn’t

American voters, it turns out, are mostly unconcerned about Romney’s Mormon religious affiliation or have no idea what it is.

Freedom Of Information News • Press News |

Romney tends to keep lid on info, press access

Republican presidential contender tight-lipped on financial records and campaign aides often won’t say where candidate will be; Obama not always open, either.

Inside the First Amendment • Speech Commentary |

Teacher flunks First Amendment 101 with classroom rant

In incident involving in-class criticism of President Obama, it should be obvious that even as the First Amendment protects dissent, it does not mandate respect.

Press News |

Romney keeps news media at bay as he sticks to script

Campaign apologizes after aides blocked reporters from asking candidate questions as he greeted supporters at the ‘rope line.’

Freedom Of Information News |

Romney used private e-mail accounts as Mass. governor

Communications were legal, even though Romney’s own administration warned state agencies against the practice due to cybersecurity concerns.

Religion News |

White House hints at compromise on birth control

Assailed by Catholics and Republicans for rule requiring religious institutions to provide contraception coverage, Obama administration suggests it’s looking at ‘different ideas.’

First Amendment Analysis |

Romney’s record on First Amendment issues: religion and more

One in a series of articles on the First Amendment record and views of 2012 presidential candidates.

Speech Commentary |

Copyright law favors Romney in ad’s use of NBC News report

‘Fair use’ exception ensures that copyright restrictions don’t unduly hamper the free flow of information.

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About The First Amendment Center

We support the First Amendment and build understanding of its core freedoms through education, information and entertainment.

The center serves as a forum for the study and exploration of free-expression issues, including freedom of speech, of the press and of religion, and the rights to assemble and to petition the government.

Founded by John Seigenthaler, the First Amendment Center is an operating program of the Freedom Forum and is associated with the Newseum and the Diversity Institute. The center has offices in the John Seigenthaler Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

The center’s programs, including the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum, provide education and information to the public and groups including First Amendment scholars and experts, educators, government policy makers, legal experts and students. The center is nonpartisan and does not lobby, litigate or provide legal advice. See First Amendment Center Fact Sheet and FAQs. See internships info.

The center’s website, www.firstamendmentcenter.org, is one of the most authoritative sources of news, information and commentary in the nation on First Amendment issues. It features daily updates on news about First Amendment-related developments, as well as detailed reports about U.S. Supreme Court cases involving the First Amendment, and commentary, analysis and special reports on free expression, press freedom and religious-liberty issues. Support the work of the First Amendment Center.

1 For All

1 for All is a national nonpartisan program designed to build understanding and support for First Amendment freedoms. 1 for All provides teaching materials to the nation’s schools, supports educational events on America’s campuses and reminds the public that the First Amendment serves everyone, regardless of faith, race, gender or political leanings. It is truly one amendment for all. Visit 1 for All at http://1forall.us/

Help tomorrow’s citizens find their voice: Teach the First Amendment

The most basic liberties guaranteed to Americans – embodied in the 45 words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – assure Americans a government that is responsible to its citizens and responsive to their wishes.

These 45 words are as alive and important today as they were more than 200 years ago. These liberties are neither liberal nor conservative, Democratic nor Republican – they are the basis for our representative democratic form of government.

We know from studies beginning in 1997 by the nonpartisan First Amendment Center, and from studies commissioned by the Knight Foundation and others, that few adult Americans or high school students can name the individual five freedoms that make up the First Amendment.

The lesson plans – drawn from materials prepared by the Newseum and the First Amendment Center – will draw young people into an exploration of how their freedoms began and how they operate in today’s world. Students will discuss just how far individual rights extend, examining rights in the school environment and public places. The lessons may be used in history and government, civics, language arts and journalism, art and debate classes. They may be used in sections or in their entirety. Many of these lesson plans indicate an overall goal, offer suggestions on how to teach the lesson and list additional resources and enrichment activities.

See more about lesson plans.

First Amendment Moot Court Competition

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – the cornerstone of American democracy – is the focus of the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition. Recognized as one of the nation's finest constitutional-law competitions, this annual event features a current First Amendment controversy.

During the two-day competition in February, each team will participate in a minimum of four rounds, arguing a hypothetical based on a current First Amendment controversy before panels of accomplished jurists, legal scholars and attorneys.

Past participants in the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition have represented law schools nationwide, from Brooklyn Law School to Duke University to Arizona State to Harvard.

The 23rd Annual National First Amendment Moot Court Competition is Feb. 21-22, 2013. See registration information and details about the competition.

FIRST AMENDMENT CENTER ARCHIVES

State of the First Amendment survey reports

The State of the First Amendment surveys, commissioned since 1997 by the First Amendment Center and Newseum, are a regular check on how Americans view their first freedoms of speech, press, assembly, religion and petition.

The periodic surveys examine public attitudes toward freedom of speech, press, religion and the rights of assembly and petition; and sample public opinion on contemporary issues involving those freedoms. See the reports.