Wednesday, September 25, 2019

The First Amendment and Counterculture Websites

The First Amendment and How it Protects Counterculture Websites
Photo Credit to HR Daily Advisor

In the eyes of anyone who reads the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment is loaded with personal protections and liberties which were revolutionary at the time of its ratification. Nearly 250 years later, the protections of free speech, right to petition the government, to establish and exercise religion, freedom of the press, and peaceful protest are still integral building blocks of American society. In regards to counterculture websites, the protections offered by the First Amendment are king, and are imperative to web content creator's rights.

Sites that challenge cultural norms or ideals, such as ANTIWAR.com or the American Conservative, are given nearly unrestricted free reign to publish and talk about any topics, no matter the level of controversy in their subject matter.

In other forms of government, publications who openly question the Chief Executive or Congress would face major backlash or be silenced through imprisonment or death. In the Constitutional Republic we know as the American Federal government, our leaders are elected by the people and for the people. These elected officials must follow the laws of the land, just like any average citizen. With these laws come citizen's rights to hate politicians and speak out against them.

Websites and the people behind them must remain unrestricted in their freedoms of the press and free speech, in order for American citizens to remain as the freest people on Earth. The First Amendment was drafted by James Madison to grant 6 aforementioned freedoms that no government had ever previously granted its citizens. By retaining these rights through almost 2-and-a-half centuries, America has held its spot as the society with the most personal liberties and protection for citizens.

Links to ANTIWAR, American Conservative
Photo Credit to HR Daily Advisor 

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