The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees fundamental freedoms to its citizens, protecting the freedom of speech, press, and expression. However, in recent months, the temporary Tik Tok ban and the ongoing conflict between the White House and the Associated Press over-naming the Gulf of Mexico have highlighted the interference with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Understanding the First Amendment’s protection is crucial, as it not only affects the media and journalism that is consumed today, but also our daily lives and interaction with the world.
The First Amendment officially states that “Congress shall make no law…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 protection ensures that individuals have the right to express their thoughts, ideas, and opinions without government interference.
The freedom of expression allows students to access information and ideas without restrictions, being able to learn about various viewpoints on different issues in our world today. The First Amendment allows students to freely express themselves in media outlets such as Tik Tok, Instagram, and other social media platforms, giving us access to information from a variety of sources. The access that is given builds critical thinkers, eloquent debaters and creative innovators, challenging ideas, sharing opinions, and learning from one another in an open and safe environment.
In February 2025, the U.S. government announced an initiative to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America sparking debates. The administration cited historical and geopolitical reasons for the decision, arguing that such changes reinforce national identity. The Associated Press (AP) argued, “As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.” Ongoing clashes with news outlets occurred with the government’s changes in geographical regions, and journalists were soon blocked from entering the office. Calling the administration’s move unreasonable, AP’s senior vice president Julie Pace argued, “Limiting our access to the Oval Office based on the content of AP’s speech not only severely impedes the public’s access to independent news, it plainly violates the First Amendment.”
As these situations raise concerns regarding the limits of the government within public information, some may argue that corrections are necessary for national unity or security. As the First Amendment strictly protects the public’s rights to access information, any attempts made to restrict this freedom can have significant consequences on the development of one’s beliefs, knowledge, or opinions. By understanding and protecting our rights, the public can become informed, active members of our community, recognizing how speech, media, and government interact in a democratic society.
