This
First Amendment resource guide was created to assist
Iowa library and media professionals in promoting
the First Amendment through community programs, displays,
book discussions, film series and library collections.
The guide highlights events, speakers, books, videos/DVDs
and Web sites to help you plan a First Amendment program
in your community.
Events
Speakers
Books
DVDs/Videos
Web sites
Events
Consider
planning an activity around the following events:
Jan. 16–Religious Freedom Day
January (third Sunday)–World Religion Day
Feb. 13–Anniversary of the first American
magazine published in 1741
March 16–Freedom of Information Day and
James Madison’s
birthday
May–Freedom Shrine Month where
the National Exchange Club encourages the creation of
displays
honoring America’s
freedoms
July 2–Anniversary of the ratification of the U.S.
Constitution
July 4–Independence Day and the anniversary of the
deaths of founding fathers John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
July 4-10–Freedom Week
September (last week)–Religious Freedom Week commemorating
the anniversary of the Bill of Rights, including religious
freedom as defined in the First Amendment
September (last week)–Banned Books Week, which celebrates
the freedom to read and the dangers of censorship
Sept. 21–Constitution Day and First Amendment Fest 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Des Moines Area Community College
Sept. 25–Anniversary of the publication in 1690
of the first American newspaper
October (first week)–National Newspaper Week
Dec. 15–Bill of Rights Day, celebrating when the
first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution took effect
Speakers
The following Iowans have expertise or first-hand
experiences with the First Amendment. They have agreed
to speak
on this issue and are listed geographically by the
following cities Ames, Atlantic/Cass
County, Des Moines,
Dubuque, Iowa
City and the Quad Cities.
Ames
Michael Bugeja
Director of Iowa State University’s Greenlee
School of Journalism and Communication
515-294-0481 / bugeja@iastate.edu
Areas of expertise include the First Amendment in society; corporatization
of the media; and journalism ethics.
Ryan Doll
An Iowa State University student government leader who successfully petitioned
the City of Ames to hold a special election to shorten council member terms.
515-460-8897 / dollr@iastate.edu
Mark Gannon and Arlen Nichols
Businessmen from Ames and Des Moines who successfully sued the Iowa State
University Foundation forcing them to open its records. The case was decided
by the Iowa
Supreme Court.
515-291-5942 / mark@gannonre.com and 515-282-0302 (Arlen Nichols)
Iowa State University Experts List
Barbara Mack
Associate professor of journalism for Iowa State University's Greenlee
School of Journalism and Communication
515-294-0498 / bmmack@iastate.edu
A former journalist and general counsel to The Des Moines Register and Tribune
Company, specializes in First Amendment, journalism law and journalism ethics.
Mark Witherspoon
Lecturer and campus media adviser for Iowa State University’s Greenlee
School
of Journalism and Communication
515-294-4815 / spoons@iastate.edu
Areas of expertise include First Amendment in education; and First Amendment
event planning.
Atlantic/Cass County
Ronald W. Feilmeyer
Attorney for the Cass County Seven, a group of citizens who successfully petitioned
to have the Cass County attorney and sheriff removed from office for misconduct.
712-243-1663 / rwf@cambridgelawfirm.com
Other Cass County Seven members willing to share their experiences include
Duane Acker, 712-243-4757 / talycoed@metc.net; Raymond
Underwood, 712-243-5283
/ rnjunder@metc.net.
Des Moines
Kristi Bowman
Drake University School of Law assistant professor
515-271-2948 / kristi.bowman@drake.edu
Areas of expertise include education law and civil rights.
Drake University Resource Guide
Sally Frank
Drake University Law School professor
515-271-3909 / sally.frank@drake.edu
Areas of specialization include civil rights and liberties; gay rights; protest
rights; women’s rights; tenants' rights.
Mark Gannon and Arlen Nichols
Businessmen from Ames and Des Moines who successfully sued the Iowa State University
Foundation forcing them to open its records. The case was decided by the Iowa
Supreme Court.
515-291-5942 / mark@gannonre.com and 515-282-0302 (Arlen Nichols)
Mark Kende
Drake University Law School professor, James Madison chair and director of the
Constitutional Law Center.
515-271-3354 / mark.kende@drake.edu
Areas of expertise include constitutional law; civil rights; cyberlaw; civil
procedure.
Ben Stone
Iowa Civil Liberties Union executive director
515-243-3988 Ext. 11 / bstone@iowaclu.org
Herb Strentz
Drake University journalism and mass communication professor emeritus, former
executive secretary of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council
515-278-5607 / herb.strentz@drake.edu
Strentz is coordinating plans for fall 2006 campus and community programs addressing
the topic of "Dialogue and Dissent: The Right to Speak; the Need to Listen."
Dubuque
Susan Henricks
Director of the Carnegie-Stout Public Library
563-589-4126 / shenricks@stout.dubuque.lib.ia.us
Henricks can speak on matters of intellectual freedom,
including the USA Patriot Act and the role of libraries
in a democracy.
Iowa City
Randall P. Bezanson
University of Iowa College of Law Charles E. Floete Professor
319-335-9171 / randy-bezanson@uiowa.edu
Arthur E. Bonfield
University of Iowa College of Law D. Vestal Chair and associate dean for
research
319-335-9020 / arthur-bonfield@uiowa.edu
William Buss
University of Iowa College of Law O.K. Patton Professor
319-335-9025 / william-buss@uiowa.edu
University of Iowa Speakers Bureau
Quad Cities
Brenda Grunder
Wilton Junior-Senior High School government teacher
563-732-4024 / bgrunder@wiltoncsd.org
Grunder has faced parental objections to materials she’s used to teach
her students, such as showing the film “Fahrenheit 9/11” to a class
of seniors. “We cannot choose to teach based on what everyone likes,” Grunder
told the Associated Press in 2004.
Sara Slagle
A parent who has asked the Iowa Department of Education to overturn the
Pleasant Valley School Board’s decision restricting the reading of
a book with a gay character.
563-289-2742
Books
This list includes current titles geared toward adults
that address First Amendment issues.
Abrams, Floyd. Speaking Freely: Trials of the First
Amendment.
New York : Viking Penguin, 2005. ISBN 0670033758.
A memoir from a leading First Amendment lawyer who
has been involved in landmark court cases, including
defending the right to publish the Pentagon Papers. This
book has
been reviewed in Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, The
New York Times and Publisher’s Weekly.
Borjesson, Kristina. Into the Buzzsaw: Leading
Journalists Expose the Myth of a Free Press. Amherst, N.Y. : Prometheus,
2004. ISBN 1591022304.
A revised and expanded edition including interviews
with journalists from CBS, FOX and MSNBC. “As before,
Buzzsaw provides a vital perspective on the First Amendment
right to a free press and its endangered status today.”–School
Library Journal
Cook, Timothy E. Freeing the Presses: The First
Amendment in Action. Baton Rouge : Louisiana State University Press,
July 2005. ISBN 080713077X.
Political communication scholars discuss whether a free
press and all that comes with it is an effective investment
for a democracy.
Lidsky, Lyrissa Barnett. Freedom of the Press:
A Reference Guide to the United States Constitution. Westport, Conn.
: Praeger, 2004. ISBN 0313315973.
A reference guide to the United States Constitution covering
its history and theory, and issues such as prior restraint,
defamation and more.
Tushnet, Mark V. A Court Divided: The Rehnquist
Court and the Future of Constitutional Law. New York : W.W. Norton
Co., 2005. ISBN 0393058689.
Examines the dynamics and politics of the current
Supreme Court, reviewing landmark cases on free speech,
gay rights
and abortion. This book was reviewed and recommended
by Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s
Weekly, San Francisco Chronicle and The Washington Post.
Wallis, David. Killed: Great Journalism too Hot
to Print. New York : Nation Books, c2004. ISBN 1560255811.
“'Killed…’ resurrects remarkable
articles that publications like Harper's, Vanity Fair and
The New Yorker
assigned to renowned writers, then discarded--not for reasons
of quality but because of their potential for unwanted
controversy.”—Publisher’s description.
Reviewed in Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly,
St. Louis Post-Dispatch and San Antonio Express-News.
Werhan, Keith. Freedom of Speech: A Reference Guide
to the United States Constitution. Westport, Conn. : Praeger
Publishers, 2005. ISBN 0313319979.
Examines the U.S. Constitution’s history and
the key Supreme Court decisions affecting it.
DVDs/Videos
The following list includes current films
that should appeal to library patrons and
foster discussions. Titles should be available
for purchase or from Interlibrary Loan.
Burson, Charles. Campaign Finance
Regulation: Money, Politics and the First
Amendment.
Saint Louis, MO : Washington University
School of Law, 2002. 60 minutes.
Watch
the video at http://law.wustl.edu/Whatsnew/confsandevents/lapierreburson.html
Doyle, Michael M. Media Manipulation:
New Game for Big Business. Princeton,
N.J. : Films for the Humanities & Sciences,
c1998. 29 min.
Examines the effects of having large corporations own news media outlets.
Fabian, Rhonda. Amendment 1: Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly
and
Petition. Lawrenceville, N.J. : Cambridge Educational, c1998. 20 minutes. ISBN
0736562079.
“Using computer graphics, original live-action video, historical artwork,
and archival footage with narration and interviews, this program details the
first amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”—WorldCat
The First Amendment. Monmouth Jct., N.J. : Cambridge Educational, c1998. 20 minutes.
ISBN 073656201X
“…
analyzes the history and text of the First Amendment. Experts, including Dr.
Nadine Strossen, president of the American Civil Liberties Union, discuss their
interpretation of the Amendment and the freedoms it guarantees. Numerous court
cases are cited ...”—Publisher. Part of the series The Amendments
to the Constitution: Bill of Rights and Beyond. Recommended by Video Librarian,
The American Film and Video Review and MC Journal: The Journal of Academic
Media Librarianship.
Greenwald, Robert. Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties. New York
: The Disinformation Company, 2004. 68 minutes.
“Discusses how the USA PATRIOT Act has taken away checks on law enforcement
and continues to endanger the civil liberties of all Americans under the guise
of
being part of the war on terrorism, and how paranoia, fear and racial profiling
have led to gross infringements on freedom and democracy without strengthening
national security.”—WorldCat
Hegedus, Chris. The First Amendment Project. [United States] : Docurama, 2005.
70 min.
An anthology of original films focusing on current, headline-grabbing First
Amendment
issues, such as Al Franken’s battle with FOX and the controversy surrounding
a poet laureate’s poem about Sept. 11. Presented on CourtTV and the Sundance
Channel.
Koppel, Ted. Hate and the Internet: Web Sites and the Issue of Free Speech. Princeton,
N.J. : Films for the Humanities, c1998. 22 minutes. ISBN 073651287X.
“What is the price of free speech? Protected by their First Amendment rights
and the Internet’s cultural philosophy of ‘post it all and let the
readers decide,’ American hate groups are having a field day on the World
Wide Web ... In this program, ABC News anchor Ted Koppel investigates the proliferation
of hate online with Don Black, founder of the white nationalist Web site Storm
Front, and Floyd Abrams, a First Amendment attorney who has represented The New
York Times and ABC News …”—Publisher. Highly recommended
by MC Journal: The Journal of Academic Media Librarianship.
Koppel, Ted. The Patriot Act under Fire. Princeton, N.J. : Films
for the Humanities
and Sciences, c2003. 23 minutes. ISBN 0736591184.
“To many, worrying about constitutional rights seemed like an archaic
luxury while Ground Zero was still smoking. The need for tighter homeland security
made civil
liberties take a back seat to urgent measures such as the USA PATRIOT Act designed
to defend America from terrorists. But two years later, that piece of legislation
is under fire from both the left and the right. In this ABC News program, Ted
Koppel takes a hard look at the law with representatives of the U.S. Department
of Justice, the ACLU, and others.”—Publisher. Video clip at http://www.films.com/id/6415
Koppel, Ted. Watch What You Say: Free Speech in Times of National Crisis.
Princeton,
N.J. : Films for the Humanities & Sciences, c2001. 38 minutes. ISBN 0736542957.
“In America, freedom of speech is a cherished fundamental right. Must
it be curtailed during emergencies or wars? In this program, ABC News anchor
Ted Koppel and correspondent
John Donvan explore the penalties of political dissent in the aftermath of the
terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.”—Publisher.
McCarthy, John. U.S.A. Princeton, N.J. : Films for the Humanities & Sciences,
c2003. 34 minutes. ISBN 0736598448.
"Addresses accusations of the Christian right's distorting influence
on America's place in the world. President George W. Bush has actively promoted
the idea of
faith-based initiatives—government's assistance in combating welfare and
social deprivation—prompting charges of First Amendment violations from
Democrats and liberals." —Publisher
Maher, Bill. Bill of Rights / Bill of Responsibility. Monmouth Junction, N.J.
: Cambridge Educational, c1995. 30 minutes. ISBN 0736519068.
“Bill Maher hosts this witty inquiry into the meaning of the Constitution
of the
United States in our lives today ...”—Publisher. Reviewed favorably
in Booklist and received the Bronze Apple from the National Educational Media
Network.
Maloney, Evan Coyne. Brainwashing 101. New York : On the Fence Films, c2004.
46 minutes.
“…
a provocative short documentary showing how university faculty and administrators
use tools such as ‘speech codes’ to force their political views upon
students.”—Publisher
Milewski, John. The First Amendment: Religion in American Life. West Lafayette,
Ind. : C-SPAN Archives, 2004. 58 minutes.
“In a symposium sponsored by the Close Up Foundation, panelists talk
about the First Amendment and the role of religion in American life. Among the
issues addressed
are the challenges to the words ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance,
the Supreme Court case Elk Grove United School District v. Newdow, and the history
of religion in American government and public life.”—WorldCat
Miller, Mark Crispin. Mark Crispin Miller in a Patriot Act. [United States]:
Customflix, c2004. 80 minutes.
Media critic Mark Crispin Miller, author of the “The Bush Dyslexicon,” takes
on the USA Patriot Act and the Bush administration, showing how both pose a
threat to rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
National Coalition Against Censorship. Tell it Like it is! New York: Carousel
Film and Video, c1999. 15 minutes.
“A discussion about censorship of children's books, including scenes
with Judy Blume, whose book Superfudge has been criticized as being immoral.
Children and
authors comment on the negative impact of censorship.”—WorldCat.
Reviewed by Library Journal.
Prichard, Peter. Military and the Media. West Lafayette, Ind. : C-SPAN Archives,
2002. 92 minutes.
"Participants talk about the inherent and necessary tension between
the military and the news media, particularly during times of armed conflict.
Among the topics
addressed were national security concerns, First Amendment issues, access to
military maneuvers, and physical threats to journalists in the field."
— Publisher.
Real Life Teens: Bill of Rights at School. Venice, Calif. : TMW Media Group,
c2004. 19 minutes.
Part of the Real Life Teens Video Series, this film examines teen rights at school
and how they differ outside the classroom.
Roiphe, Katie and Bill Moyers. Katie Roiphe on Pornography, Censorship
and Feminism.
Princeton, N.J. : Films for the Humanities & Sciences, c2003. 22 minutes.
ISBN 0736587225.
“In this program, Bill Moyers talks to Katie Roiphe, feminist critic and
author of “The Morning After: Sex, Fear, and Feminism” … Roiphe
discusses how restrictions on pornography could lead to more general censorship,
while widespread access actually undermines pornography’s fascination.” —Publisher
Susman, Thomas M. Safeguarding our Patrons' Privacy: What every Librarian
Needs
to Know about the USA PATRIOT Act & Related Anti-Terrorism Measures. [Washington,
D.C.] : Association of Research Libraries, c2002. 120 minutes. ISBN 159407674X.
“Speakers and panelists discuss the USA PATRIOT Act and its impact on the
privacy of library users. They identify steps that institutions must take to
comply with search warrants, subpoenas, and wire tap requests from law enforcement.”—WorldCat
Thompson, Molly, et. al. Liberty and Security in an Age of Terrorism. Princeton,
N.J. : Films for the Humanities and Sciences, c2003. 58 minutes. ISBN 0736583742.
“This Fred Friendly Seminar explores the balance between national security
and civil liberties in the post September 11 world. The moderator presents a
hypothetical scenario to the panelists to begin discussions of the USA PATRIOT
Act, surveillance of suspects, closed detention hearings, demands for student
information, and what constitutes an enemy combatant.”—Publisher.
Video clip at http://www.films.com/id/6005
Wolk, Andy. Deliberate Intent. Los Angeles : Twentieth Century Fox, 2001. 85
minutes.
A PG-13 feature film starring Timothy Hutton. According to Worldcat, “based
on the true story of a controversial decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals which
determined that for the first time, a publisher was not protected under the First
Amendment for a book that ‘aided and abetted’ a triple homicide.”
Zamparini, Gabriele. XXI Century Part 2, And the Pursuit of Happiness. [S.I.]
: thecatsdream.com, 2003. 56 minutes.
“Examines what has happened in America after September 11th, 2001, looking
at its impact on American political issues such as freedom, democracy, the First
Amendment, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights ... and the Patriot Act.”—WorldCat
Web
sites
American
Library Association’s First Amendment Resources
Find
First Amendment resources, advocates and cases.
Bill
of Rights Defense Committee
Informs visitors of current threats to their civil liberties,
with an emphasis on the USA Patriot Act. Suggests actions
people can take to protect their liberties.
FindLaw: First Amendment
Includes the text of the First Amendment as well as provides
detailed legal annotations and histories.
First Amendment / FOI Bibliography
The
library director of the Poynter Institute provides links
to some of the best Web sites on the First Amendment and
Freedom of Information issues. Emphasis
is on understanding the First Amendment, accessing public records and assisting
journalists.
First Amendment Center
Sponsored by The First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, which works
to preserve and protect First Amendment freedoms. The site covers First Amendment
issues providing access to current news, court cases, commentary and book reviews.
The First Amendment Schools section provides information for students and educators.
First Amendment Project
This nonprofit advocacy group provides information and support to help people
understand and use their rights to attend open meetings, access court records
and express themselves.
Future of the First Amendment
The Web site of an organization working to help young people understand and
exercise their basic rights.
Iowa Civil Liberties Union
The Web site of the state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union.
These organizations work to promote and protect the individual freedoms guaranteed
in the Bill of Rights. Find the latest news and legislative action
in the state involving civil liberties.
Iowa Freedom of Information Council
Provides
extensive information on Iowa’s open meetings and open records
laws.
National Coalition against Censorship
Provides action alerts and censorship news. Visitors not only learn about recent
issues but are encouraged to wage letter-writing campaigns. Letters are shared
online.
National Freedom of Information Coalition
A self-supporting alliance of state and local groups promoting open government. “Seeks
to protect the public's right to know through the education of media professionals,
attorneys, academics, students and the general public.”
State Library of Iowa First Amendment Pathfinder
Want to learn more about the First Amendment? Let this pathfinder help you get started.
Supreme Court First Amendment Cases
Lists cases and provides links to their syllabi, opinions and dissents.
Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression
A nonprofit organization devoted to defending free expression in all forms.
Visitors to this Web site can express themselves on The Free Speech Editorial
Page, find
annual lists of Jefferson Muzzle recipients (those recognized for blatantly
abridging First Amendment rights) and check the latest legal news.
Youth Free Expression Network
This
National Coalition Against Censorship program promotes and defends the self
expression rights of youth taking aim against dress codes, Internet filtering
and more. Young people post their own op-eds.
Last
updated: June 16, 2005
Comments: dfrykber@iastate.edu
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Iowa. All rights reserved.
