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...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Exploring Free Speech and Persuasion in "Nothing but the Truth"
Contains plans for five lessons that use Avi's "Nothing But the Truth" to teach about free speech and give students an opportunity to develop persuasive arguments. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Supreme Court Ends Ban on Sale of Violent Video Games
An article about the Supreme Court ending a ban on the sale of violent video games. There are also links to other related items such as a classroom activity and information about the revolution of video games.
Other
Student Press Law Center Legal Brief: Libel Law
Excellent site for students that need to know more about libel laws. Includes a definition of libel, a process to go by in order to avoid a lawsuit, and your defense options if you happen to be involved in a lawsuit.
Other
Center for Democracy and Technology
A public interest organization working for public policies that advance civil liberties and democratic values in information technologies. Contains links to information on free speech, data privacy, wiretapping, and cryptography.
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: First Amendment
A learning module on the First Amendment. It includes several supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Students explore how the First Amendment applies in the...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Times Film Corp. V. City of Chicago (1961)
Read the majority opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court in Times Film Corp. v. City of Chicago, a 1961 case that focused on free speech and obscenity.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
This resource includes information on the Supreme Court case, Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier. The case involves the First Amendment rights of high school students and the publishing of their high school newspaper.
Other
Liberty
Liberty is an organisation that was formed seventy-five years ago to champion liberty in all sorts of social contexts. The site has information about many of the current issues - ASBOs, asylum, street cameras and so on - with media links...
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...
Savvas Learning
Changing Views of Free Speech
An easy to follow flow chart that shows how the idea of freedom of speech has changed throughout the years. Make sure to click on each box of information to get a more in depth description.
Stanford University
Political Communication Lab
An interactive website that is dedicated to gathering and disseminating public opinion on a variety of issues that shape U.S. politics.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Schenck v. United States
This encyclopedia entry summarizes the landmark Supreme Court case of Schenck v. United States, which pitted the right of free speech against the 1917 Espionage Act.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Emma Goldman
Tells the story of a young, brilliant, Russian immigrant who taunted mainstream America with her outspoken attacks on government, big business, and war.
NC State University
North Carolina State University: Ethics in Computing: Speech Issues
Curated collection of links to articles, essays, and related topics on responsible use of the Internet and information technologies with respect to speech and online hate compiled and maintained by a university instructor.
Other
Dave Net: Bill Gates on Privacy
Dave Winer ponders the issues of privacy on the Internet, citing an email from Bill Gates and discussing digital encryption. Goes into depth about the debate on free speech and censorship of the internet.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Censorship in the Classroom
Online lesson that challenges students to examine the past and present practice of censorship in the classroom, in particular the "Banned books," from high school curriculums. Students research reasons for censorship and choose a side of...
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Virtual Victory?
Discussion of the implications of the Supreme Court ruling against the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act, including give and take on the meaning of the decision for children. Includes transcript of discussion, and link...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Supreme Court Considers Free Speech and Protests
Hateful as these actions may seem to many people, do groups still have the right to protest under the First Amendment? Read about the case that the Supreme Court is considering involving protests at a military funeral.
Other
Nwu: The National Writers Union
This is the homesite for the National Writers Union, an organization for freelance writers. Contains an amazing amount of useful material, especially for aspiring writers, journalists, or storytellers.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
Resource contains information on the case including how the justices voted, an audio file of the Oral Argument and an abstract of the case regarding high school journalists and their call for First Amendment (free speech) rights.
Other
Aclu: American Civil Liberties Union
Official home of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Learn about American news, what's going on with the Supreme Court and new legislation, and more at this online interest group.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Constitution
This site provides extensive information regarding several American constitutional issues such as: impeachment, war powers, interstate commerce, and the amendment process. Hyperlinks can be found throughout each constitutional issue to...
Other
Liberty: Protecting Civil Liberties, Protecting Human Rights
Liberty is a campaign group that "seeks to protect civil liberties and promote human rights for everyone". This site outlines the work of the group and the issues on which it campaigns; provides articles, speeches and publications; and...