The First Amendment Is for Everyone
Only one profession is named in the United States Constitution. That profession, which is also protected by the Constitution, is the press.
“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.”
Today, press freedom is under attack around the world.
In 2024 World Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the United States ranks 55th out of 188 countries in the world. That puts the U.S. in “problematic” territory. It’s better than many other countries in a “difficult situation” or a “very serious situation.” But it’s still not satisfactory or good.
As Reporters Without Borders reports:
“Press freedom around the world is being threatened by the very people who should be its guarantors — political authorities. … A growing number of governments and political authorities are not fulfilling their role as guarantors of the best possible environment for journalism and for the public’s right to reliable, independent, and diverse news and information. RSF sees a worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the…
