Freedom Forum Announces Publication of “The First Amendment in the 21st Century: From the Village Green to the Village Screen”
Gene Policinski’s New Book Explores the Evolution of and Challenges to the First Amendment in a Digital Age
Washington, D.C. (Sept. 25, 2024) – Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to fostering First Amendment freedoms for all Americans, today announced the release of “The First Amendment in the 21st Century: From the Village Green to the Village Screen,” an accessible guide to the enduring importance of and evolving challenges to First Amendment freedoms.
Written by Gene Policinski, Freedom Forum senior fellow for the First Amendment and past First Amendment Center president, “Village Green” offers an in-depth analysis of how the five core freedoms — religion, speech, press, assembly and petition — have been shaped by centuries of social, political and technological change and what lies ahead in this era of unprecedented connectivity and digital discourse.
Policinski takes readers on a journey through the historical foundations of the First Amendment, tracing its roots from the early debates on colonial village greens to the complex, often contentious, exchanges on today’s “village screen” — social media. The book provides readers with a comprehensive view of key legal precedents, pivotal moments in history and the crucial role that the judiciary, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court, has played in defending these freedoms against censorship and government overreach.
“Village Green”also examines the paradoxes of modern free speech. While social media has democratized information and empowered voices once marginalized, it has also created new concerns, from the spread of misinformation to debates over censorship and content moderation.
“Village Green” is available for free in PDF and ebook formats on Freedom Forum’s website. The audiobook version is available on Apple Books and Google Play. It is designed for use both in classrooms and as a source for lifelong learners interested in discovering more about their essential freedoms. To schedule an interview with Gene Policinski, please contact Julia Majors at [email protected].
Praise for “Village Green”
“A valuable, timely contribution for students and the public, including me.”
— Mary Beth Tinker, Tinker v. Des Moines plaintiff and First Amendment educator
“‘Village Green’ takes the reader on a rich, fast-paced trip through First Amendment history: Where we started, how we got there and where we’re going. This will be an excellent resource for all.”
— Nadine Strossen, First Amendment scholar and author, Free Speech: What Everyone Needs to Know (2023)
“[A] highly readable account of the First Amendment’s practical impact on everything from religious practice to civil rights activism to a high school cheerleader’s social media posts. … Arriving at a critical moment in the national debate over speech, publications and protests, Policinski’s writing should serve as a baseline for understanding what rights the Founding Fathers truly intended in the 45 words of the First Amendment.”
— Joie Chen, Emmy Award-winning television journalist
About the Author
Gene Policinski is the senior fellow for the First Amendment at Freedom Forum, where he writes, lectures and speaks on an array of First Amendment topics. His work often focuses on press freedom and free speech issues, including whistleblower protections, data privacy and the intersection of news coverage and courts. He regularly contributes to Freedom Forum’s website, has been published in several law review journals, and wrote a chapter on press freedom in the American Bar Association book “Whistleblowers, Leaks and the First Amendment.” Since arriving at Freedom Forum in 1996, Policinski has served in many roles including as executive director of the First Amendment Center, president of the Diversity Institute and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute, among others. He was a founding editor of USA TODAY.
About Freedom Forum
Established on July 4, 1991, by USA TODAY founder Al Neuharth, Freedom Forum’s mission is to foster First Amendment freedoms for all. Freedom Forum works to raise awareness of First Amendment freedoms by educating, engaging and inspiring people, sharing the stories of Americans who have exercised their rights to ignite change. Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan 501 (c)(3) foundation that advances First Amendment freedoms through initiatives including the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media, the Free Expression Awards, First Amendment reporters, Today’s Front Pages, Where America Stands and 1A Fest.
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