Broadcast in a Box
First Amendment Curriculum
by the Copley First Amendment Center

This document will briefly introduce the Copley First Amendment Center and the “45 Words of Freedom” teaching curriculum.

The Copley First Amendment Center (CFAC) is a non-profit division of the Illinois Press Foundation (IPF), which is a part of the Illinois Press Association (IPA).

The CFAC was founded on the premise of aiding IPA member newspapers in their endeavors to maintain their rights to publish freely and gather information without government interference; and to serve as a model for other state newspaper associations nationwide. The CFAC is maintained by IPA employees and members who specialize in several First Amendment issues, including Freedom of Information, First Amendment law, and press freedom lobbying.

A recent study conducted by the Freedom Forum’s First Amendment Center found that fewer than 2 percent of individuals surveyed could name all five freedoms of the First Amendment. Forty-nine percent said the First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees, and sixty-three percent rated the U.S. educational system’s job of teaching students about First Amendment freedoms as “fair” or “poor.” Only 5 percent rated the job as “excellent.”

This resource contains the following items:

• an educational curriculum
• a teacher’s guide
• a pre & post test
• a license agreement
• a newspaper license

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Beth Bennett, Director of Government Relations, Illinois Press Association.

Thank you.

217-241-1300 • Fax: 217-241-1301 • www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com