The First Amendment

The first amendment is written in the United States Constitution was created in 1787
saying ​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.​ This
amendment holds a huge importance when it comes to the area of journalism but also when it
comes to basic rights that Americans have. The first amendment is what gives journalism its
foundation to being journalism. With journalist storytelling, reporting, branding and so much
more it is important that we have the first amendment to protect us from being censored or
prosecuted. The first amendment also includes; freedom of religion, peaceful assembly and free
speech.
By me studying to be a public relations practitioner I depend on the first amendment
heavily. When writing press releases, creating social media post, or promoting news article for
my job as the Digital Media Director for The A&T Register; I need the first amendment to
protect me from censorship. When it comes to telling stories, branding, and writing in general the
first amendment provides me with protection and freedom. As a journalist I have used the first
amendment heavily when working with The A&T Register. As the student newspaper we still
report on campus events, events taking place in the world, opinionated pieces or anything we
want to write about or report on. Over my time in college I have live covered numerous events,
reported on them and also made numerous social media posts. In order for me to do that without
being penalized in any way the first amendment is important to have.
Once I fully begin my career in journalism I will need the first amendment just like I do
now. When running social media pages and representing different companies, brands and people
the first amendment is important to have so I am not censored. In any project or assignment that I
do within my career that is made for the public I will use the first amendment every time. The
first amendment is also that I will continuously keep in mind when I start my career in
journalism because as an American citizen I have to constantly make sure I am being provided
with my basic rights
By always abiding by the first amendment I am using it to talk freely, report on anything
I would like to report about, and also encouraging my other colleagues to abide by the first
amendment as well. I am constantly encouraging my social media, public relations and
multimedia team to get full use of their amendment right because I recognize the importance this
amendment has on journalist even though we are in school. I do my best to make sure my
coworkers and myself are taking full advantage of the right as well. Now that I have a job in
journalism I fully get the opportunity to see just how important the first amendment is in the
field of public relations .