US Constitution Series, Amendment I

Amendment I. Religion and Expression

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This may be the most often cited an mis-cited provision of the Constitution. I want to say just one thing. These protections are protection from government, originally just the Federal government. Nothing in the First Amendment gives private organization such as a newspaper or television station the obligation to allow you to make your voice heard.

You have a right to speak, on your own time and at your own cost. You do not have a right to force anyone else to listen to you.