FIRST AMENDMENT

NLA supports the First Amendment by keeping its membership informed of key developments and by initiating educational programs about the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. NLA is proud to support the following endeavors:

Sunshine Week
This annual event, held each March to coincide with James Madison’s birthday, was launched by NLA in 2005. It draws public attention to the importance of open and transparent government. Sunshine Week empowers people to take an active role at all levels of government. Participants now include civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others advocating for the public’s right to know.

Freedom of Information
NLA vigorously advocates for freedom of information and government access issues. NLA recently joined the News Media for Open Government (NMOG) coalition in sending agenda to 117th Congress — specifically encouraging Congress to take actions to support journalists, a free press, and an open and more accountable government.

1 for All
This national nonpartisan and nonprofit educational effort to build understanding and respect for the five freedoms of the First Amendment from Middle Tennessee State University’s Free Speech Center. At a time of deep partisanship in America, 1 for All’s goal is to remind America that the First Amendment collectively gives each of us the right to be ourselves — expressing ourselves and enriching the nation through the free exchange of ideas. NLA encourages its members to get involved.

Past Endeavors

Free To Tweet
This online celebration of First Amendment rights — held in 2011, 2012 and 2013 — encouraged high school and college students to tweet about the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. Five students with the best tweets from each year won $5,000 scholarships. The contest generated thousands of creative and insightful tweets about our freedoms of speech, prayer, petition, assembly and press.

2007 First Amendment Summit
On Jan. 18, 2007, NLA convened an emergency summit of 100 newsroom leaders, national security experts, lawyers and others concerned about the compelled disclosure of confidential sources. Key video excerpts from this important day are archived here.

First Amendment Sponsors

NLA is grateful to the sponsors and co-sponsors of its First Amendment initiatives throughout the years:

  • Bloomberg News

  • First Amendment Center

  • John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

  • McCormick Foundation

  • Newseum

  • Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

  • The Gridiron Club

  • The Poynter Institute