Assignment task:
Freedom of the press is one of the five rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Those guarantees extend to journalists working at the state and local levels.
Conduct research on a controversial news story that occurred within the past year. Locate a story in which a federal, state, county, or city elected official or administrator complained about media coverage of the news story, attempted to interfere with the reporting process, tried to sanction the media organization, or otherwise suppressed the free speech of journalists.
Note: Since Donald Trump became president, he has attempted to violate the First Amendment on a regular basis. Therefore, you must choose someone other than Trump for this assignment.
Make a report that addresses the following questions and prompts:
- Summarize the news story. What made it controversial?
- How did the elected official or administrator interfere with the reporting process?
- Did they attempt to suppress the First Amendment rights of journalists? How so?
- What was the outcome of the case? Who prevailed-the media or the elected official/administrators?
- Was the First Amendment well served in this case? Explain your thinking.