Choices Program, Brown University
Choices: Teaching With the News: The 20th Anniversary of Tiananmen
Multi-media lesson in which students consider the concept of censorship and analyze the merits of censorship versus freedom of information while learning about the protests in Beijing in 1989. Note: Some video content may not load in...
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: State of Ohio, Ex. Rel. (Amicus Brief)
A "friend of the court" document in which the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press explains why it believes that The Columbus Dispatch newspaper had the right to access government information for possible publication.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Kentucky Resolution of 1799
The full text of the Kentucky Resolution of 1799, in which the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky declares its opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.
Other
Presidents & the Constitution: War: Commander in Chief
The President of the United States has many powers. This site provides an extensive overview on the President's role as Commander in Chief and includes a video.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Virginia Resolution of 1798
This resource presents the full text of the Virginia Resolution of 1798, in which the General Assembly of the State of Virginia protests the enactment of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.
Other
Brass Check: Tell the Truth and Run George Seldes
Read about George Seldes (1890-1995), a muckraker and press critic. Read some of his writings from his column "In Fact." Read his autobiography and a brief biography. There are links to other sites about George Seldes. Site by Brass Check.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Beginnings of Revolutionary Thinking: Trial of John Peter Zenger
Freedom of the press? That was not always an accepted right. Read about the trial of John Peter Zenger, who was accused of libel for printing truths about the royal governor of New York. Find out the outcome of the trial and what it...
Other
The International Press Institute
The International Press Institute describes itself as "a global network of journalists, editors and media executives, dedicated to freedom of the press and improving the standards and practises of journalism." To that end, this site...
Other
Freedom Forum: Privacy and the Press
This article discusses the issues of privacy and the press over time.
George Mason University
Roy Rosenzweig Center: Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
After a long debate about what should be included in their Bill of Rights, French leaders eventually came to a "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen," seventeen articles that laid out a government that protected natural rights....
Yale University
The Avalon Project: Declaration of the Rights of Man
After a long debate about what should be included in their Bill of Rights, French leaders eventually came to a "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen," seventeen articles that laid out a government that protected natural rights....
George Washington University
Nsa: The Pentagon Papers: Secrets, Lies, and Audiotapes
This site offers an extensive history of the 1971 Pentagon Papers case. Features include transcripts of President Nixon's tapes, White House phone conversations, memoirs, and other primary resources.
Other
Streetlaw: Rights in the Community
This website provides several links and introductory information on the Constitution, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, expression in special places, freedom of religion, due process, the right to privacy, discrimination, and...
BBC
Bbc News: Story of the War in Iraq
Interactive web page that tells the story of the war in Iraq through pictures, audio, and video.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 1st Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 1st amendment of the Bill of Rights detailing freedom of religion, the freedom of the press, and freedom of expression in the Constitution.
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by Congress in 1798 because of feared war with France. This engaging page gives you the opportunity to see a complete copy of the original document and also gives links to a typed transcript,...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Democracy for Kids: Understanding Rights and Responsibilities
Scholastic offers a series of printable panels and classroom activities in PDF format that focus on a U.S. citizen's right to express his- or herself. Content focuses on the Bill of Rights and its provisions for freedom of religion,...
Other
Article 19: Promoting Freedom of Expression
Discusses right to information and freedom of expression issues. Bright, colorful, nicely designed with many resources.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in Amer.: Civil Liberties: Safeguarding Individual
Do you understand what happens when there are disputes over the interpretation and protection of civil liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights? When do the rights of the individual trump the perceived needs of society, and when do...
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: The Alien and Sedition Acts
Objective of this lesson is to understand the provisions of the Alien and Sedition Acts within their political and constitutional contexts.
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...
Boston College
Boston College: Gitlow v. New York
Complete syllabus and opinion of the Gitlow v. New York United States Supreme Court case.
Boston College
Boston College: Joseph Burstyn, Inc. V. Wilson (1952)
Full-text edition of the entire decision in the Joseph Burstyn, Inc. v. Wilson case.
Lectric Law Library
'Lectric Law Library: New York Times v. United States
The 1971 leaking of the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times led to a Supreme Court case in which the government took the newspaper to court over publishing classified information about Vietnam War policy.