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Help promote and celebrate Bill of Rights Day on Dec. 15


Dec. 15 is Bill of Rights Day, the day to promote and celebrate the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. ASNE's Youth Journalism Initiative asks you to share the importance of fundamental freedoms, guarenteed by the First Amendment, through articles, columns or commentary. 

Check out the 1 for All campaign's website, 
1forall.us for resources and information that will help you participate in Bill of Rights Day. 
 
Bill of Rights Day offers an annual opportunity to promote and celebrate the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. Ratified on Dec. 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights balances the role of government with protecting individual freedom, and it has been the cornerstone of American democracy for the past 223 years.


"All of us who have made our living working in the news media owe a special debt to that first generation of Americans who demanded a Bill of Rights, including the guarantee of a free press," said Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment 
Center. "Dec. 15 is an ideal day on which to share with our readers, viewers and listeners the importance of these fundamental freedoms. Whether through articles, columns or commentary, we need to remind Americans that these precious liberties only endure if we're vigilant in protecting them.

 

When asked to name the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment, 68 percent of Americans name the freedom of speech, 29 percent name the freedom of religion, 14 percent name the freedom of the press, 7 percent name the right to assemble and 1 percent name the right to petition, according to the 2014 State of the First Amendment Survey, commissioned by the First Amendment Center and the Newseum. Twenty-nine percent of respondents cannot name any of the five freedoms.


The 1 for All campaign's website,
1forall.us, has resources and information compiled in its media kit to encourage interest and participation in Bill of Rights Day. In addition, public service announcements and print and web ads are available to be shared by anyone interested. The website also has educational resources designed for a national audience to help increase First-Amendment awareness.

 

The 1 for All campaign also started the 1 for All First Amendment Challenge earlier this year. 
Encourage secondary-school teachers to get involved for a chance to receive $1,000. Forty teachers will be awarded $1,000, and 40 schools will receive recognition plaques for innovative First-Amendment education. The Challenge is funded by a generous grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and administered by the American Society of News Editors. To learn more about the Challenge or the 1 for All campaign, visit 1ForAll.us.


For more information about Bill of Rights Day and the First Amendment, visit is a national nonpartisan program designed to build understanding and support for First Amendment freedoms. 1 for All provides teaching materials to the nation's schools; supports educational events on America's campuses; and reminds the public that the First Amendment serves everyone, regardless of faith, race, gender or political leanings. It is truly one amendment for all.


For more information, contact Megan Schumacher, senior information specialist at

ASNE, at 573-882-3792 or mschumacher@asne.org. Like 1 For All on Facebook and follow 1 For All on Twitter for updates.

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