Read Works
Read Works: Don't Know Much About Liberty
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Anniversary of September 11 Highlights Attitude Toward Islam
Two controversies surround an anniversary of the September 11 attacks: plans to burn a Koran and plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero. These instances can serve as examples in the debate over religious freedom and religious tolerance...
Other
Behind the Scenes: The Mc Carran Internal Security Act
Read about the origins and impact of the McCarran Internal Security Act which President Harry Truman called "the greatest danger to freedom of speech, press and assembly, since the Alien and Sedition Laws of 1798." Find out how a fear of...
Other
First Amendment Center: Freedom Forum, Newseum
This First Amendment Center "newseum" offers dozens of reports, articles, papers, and pages collected by the Freedom Forum. Includes today's news as well as archives.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: First Amendment Protections
This resource contains an annotated look at the different topics covered within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Click on any subtopic link for in-depth information about that part of the First Amendment.
Other
Broadcasting Board of Governors
Promoting reliable and balanced journalism, the Broadcasting Board of Governors provides a comprehensive history, goal-set and ongoing intentions for international public broadcasting. The BBG seeks to provide unbiased and uncensored...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The "Clear and Present Danger" Test
Modern first amendment law was formed by cases during the WWI era. Were dissent and subversive activity protected by freedom of speech? Examine five cases that answered this constitutional question. Included are the full opinions of the...
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch: Conduct of War and Civilian Casualties in Iraq [Pdf]
A lengthy report from the Human Rights Watch on the conduct of the war in Iraq as of the end of 2003, and how the use of "cluster munitions" caused many unnecessary civilian deaths. The report also examines the many Iraqi violations that...
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch: Venezuela
Various articles depicting possible human rights violations by the current government of Venezuela. Ranging from the beating of anti government demonstrators to infringements on the freedom of the press, Human Rights Watch has some major...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Life Without the Bill of Rights?
This a click-and-explore activity that puts you in control and ask you to consider how life would change without some of our most cherished freedoms. Life Without the Bill of Rights? invites you to understand the significance of your...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Religious Liberty
Use these lesson extensions to help your students understand the historical context of American religious liberty.
Scholastic
Scholastic News: The End of Slavery
January 2, 2013 marked the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery in the United States. Read about the order and how it was being celebrated on this historical anniversary.
A&E Television
History.com: Was the Escape From Alcatraz Successful?
A 2013 letter to the FBI, if real, suggests the Anglin brothers and Frank Morris survived one of the most daring and dangerous prison breaks of all time. It was one of the most ingenious prison breaks of all time -- if it worked. In...
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: Court Rescinds Its Own Prior Restraint Against the Ap
A judge decided not to continue to enforce a prior restraint keeping the Associated Press from releasing information it had obtained through an open records request.
NBC
Msnbc: Conflict in Iraq
A site that continually updates the news of the conflict in Iraq. Contains slide shows and videos on special features related to the conflict. (2009)
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Intervention in Iraq?
Web page from March, 2003, as the U.S. prepares for war with Iraq.
BBC
Bbc: Week of 7 21 14: French Blogger Fined Over Review's Google Search Placing
Learn about the lawsuit against a blogger and why both Google and the judge in the case have found fault with the blogger's actions.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Your Safety and Security or Your Civil Liberties Lesson
The object of this lesson is to take a look at the USA Patriot Act and the controversies around the Act. Does the Patriot Act defy our Civil Liberties? This lesson will explore that question and more.
Social Studies Help Center
Social Studies Help Center: The Supreme Court as Defender of the Constitution
This site gives you examples of court cases demonstrating how the Supreme Court upholds the constituion. It also includes links to further information.
PBS
Soldiers Without Swords: Treason? African Americans in World War Ii
Article describes the dilemma of African Americans during WWII, including legislation attempting to restrict the black press.
Boston College
Boston College: Branzburg v. Hayes
Full decision from the Branzburg v. Hayes United States Supreme Court case.
US Department of State
America.gov: Edward R. Murrow [Pdf]
Highlights the life and career of broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow. Examines his "This is London" reports during World War 11, the Senator McCarthy anti-Communist campaign in the 1950s, his critical treatment of migrant workers, and...
Digital History
Digital History: Religion and the u.s. Constitution
A very brief explanation of the three-pronged test the Supreme Court uses to determine the constitutionality of a governmental poiicy to ensure it doesn't advocate the establishing of religion.
US Department of State
U.s. Dept. Of State: 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: China
A comprehensive account of human rights practices in China for the year 2018. Per the US Department of State, China's "human rights record remained poor and worsened in some areas." Sections of the report include: Arbitrary or Unlawful...