Eight Values of Free Expression

Over the last few weeks in Media Law and Literacy, we have been exploring the First Amendment and the importance of freedom of speech and press. The First Amendment states that "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 to peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The idea of the First Amendment led to The Eight Values of Free Expression. These values allow citizens to speak, share, and voice opinions freely. 

The Eight Values of Free Expression include the following: Marketplace of Ideas, Participation in Self-Government, Stable Change, Individual Self-Fulfillment, Check on Governmental Powers, Promote Tolerance, Promote Innovation, and Protect Dissent.

Stable Change 

Stable change allows citizens to "vent" or speak their minds openly. It is proven that citizens who are allowed to speak will be more stable and less likely to resort to violence. Citizens having the ability to speak their minds is a wonderful way of expression. An example I can think of in this instance is protests. Under the First Amendment, citizens are allowed to "vent" and express their views through protesting but not in a violent way. This backs up the idea of stable change by allowing citizens to speak their minds without it turning into violence. To ensure that protests remain peaceful and productive the government needs to provide channels where citizens can express their views and exercise freedom of speech. 

The Women's Suffrage Parade of 1913 is an example of a peaceful protest. In this peaceful protest, women rallied together to achieve voting rights. They aimed to get the public's attention to the suffrage movement and push for the passage of a constitutional amendment that would grant women the right to vote. 

Individual Self-Fulfillment 

In my opinion, individual self-fulfillment is very important. Without expressing yourself and having an identity how are you supposed to form your views? Through forming an identity and expressing yourself you will start to form your own opinions and ideas. Freedom of Speech becomes key when you have an identity and express yourself. You can be you with your own views and also be protected by the First Amendment. When people can freely express themselves it allows for diverse perspectives. Individual self-fulfillment signifies the importance of freedom of speech to have a diverse society. To relate this to myself I am constantly evaluating my views and making sure they align with my identity. It is important to make sure that you are aware of your views and thoughts so you can correctly express yourself. 

I have really enjoyed taking a deeper dive into the First Amendment and it has really got me thinking about what James Madison created and how thankful I am for freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. I hope you enjoyed learning about the eight values of free expression! 

History and Workings of the U.S. Supreme Court

History and Workings of the U.S. Supreme Court

I have some background on the Supreme Court from history classes I have taken throughout my time in school. To start with a brief overview,  the Supreme Court was established in the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Supreme Court currently comprises nine justices. When it originated there were six justices. The Supreme Court is the most powerful judicial body on earth. Justices serve for an average of 16 years. The Supreme Court receives about 7,000 cases a week. Then, the justices meet weekly to decide which cases they will accept. 

The most important information that I will be taking away from the video is that by the time cases arrive at the Supreme Court the facts of the case have been established in trial court. It is the Supreme Court's role to consider the legal questions. Such as, "Did the lower court apply the law correctly?" The Supreme Court hears cases in public and lawyers are allowed thirty minutes to make their arguments before the court. 

Within a few days after hearing the cases, the justices gather in the conference room to vote on the case. The nine justices are alone in the room. This video allowed me to learn that after the justices vote on the case one of the justices on the majority side is designed to write an opinion explaining the legal reasons for the decision. This showcases that the justices don't always agree on everything about a case. The opinions of the court are typically announced by the end of the term in late June. 

The present Supreme Court Justices

I found it surprising and clever that each justice shake's the other justice's hands before they go into the conference room or onto the bench. The reasoning behind this is that when they touch the other justice's hand you are less likely to hold a grudge if they disagree about something. 

Watching this video changed the way I think of the Supreme Court by reassuring me of its importance and how it is in place for the people. The founders put so much thought into the creation of our political system. Through the Supreme Court, the American people are guaranteed equal justice under the law. 

I have added some interesting facts about the Supreme Court below! Find the website here for more details. 

- The youngest Supreme Court justice was just 32 years old

- Justices make over $200,000 a Year and Are (Almost) All Millionaires

Top Five Sources of News and Information

Living in a time where technology is all around us I find myself using many different news and information sources. In this post, I will highlight a few resources that come to mind when reflecting on my top news sources. Every day we come across many different news platforms. I hope you enjoy learning about the sources I rely on for news and information. You may even be inspired to check out a new source! 

1. Instagram

The news source I use most often is Instagram. I can keep up with the news on Instagram by following news channels such as NBC and CNN. Instagram also has a reels portion where short video clips play and I also come across news that way. For example, when Former President Trump was shot at his rally in Pennsylvania Instagram was the first source I learned of the incident. Instagram is also a great way to keep up with the latest celebrity news. 

2. TikTok

TikTok is another source I learn news from. It is a platform that influences often post on and the platform draws users of all ages.  It may not be the most reliable source in some cases so it is important to always fact check what you are hearing. I find myself learning about the celebrity news and the newest trends on TikTok. Often times TikTok is the place where I hear of recent celebrity breakups or the newest TV shows. 

3. NBC 12

Growing up outside of Richmond, Virginia our local news channel is NBC12. My family would have the news on sporadically throughout the day to keep up to date on the happenings in our area. Though I am now at college in North Carolina I still keep up with the local news in my area. I still have a lot of family and friends back home so I like to keep up with the news in the area. 

4. TED Talks

I often use TED talks as a form of news! TED Talks are very informative but they can all be inspiring. When watching TED Talks people spread wonderful ideas and incorporate facts and research. I specifically remember watching a TED Talk by Sherry Turkle called "Connected, but alone?" This TED Talk shared the studies behind devices and technology affecting human connection. I love exploring TED Talks to learn new ideas which is a form of news!

5.  The New York Times

When searching for articles online I often use The New York Times. The New York Times shares articles about everything you could dream of! From U.S. daily news to wellness and lifestyle. I am always able to find something that interests me on The New York Times website. It also feels like a reliable source which is always important when reading news. When a breaking news story comes out I can always count on The New York Times. They also have a variety of different journalists writing stories which allows for variety!