TOO MUCH FREEDOM?

Recent Poll Shows Alarming Belief

Here's something to ponder as the United States prepares to celebrate
Independence Day on July 4. Four in 10 Americans believe the First
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution actually goes too far in the rights that
it guarantees, according to a recent survey.

The poll, conducted by the First Amendment Center and paid for by the
Freedom Forum, also indicates that seven in 10 Americans said it's
important for the government to "hold the media in check."

There is little doubt that the respondents' opinion is more an indictment
of the press than individual free-speech rights. Even so, that's a
disturbing trend.

Public disappointment with the Fourth Establishment has been moving upward
for some time. Many Americans were particularly turned off during the
presidential elections when TV networks predicted election winners before
the polls closed.

However, it's important to remember that a free press and individual free
speech are joined at the hip. Erode one and the other will fall with it.

Government attempts to stifle press freedoms, which are key to the great
success of this nation's democratic-republic, are the first steps tyrannic
governments use to control the citizenry.

That indeed is something to think about.