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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Free speech has support

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Americans’ support for First Amendment freedoms has returned to levels not seen since before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, an annual survey on the subject shows.

The survey released Monday found that 65 percent of respondents disagreed with the statement “the First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees.” Thirty percent agreed with the statement.

Two years ago the response to the question in the survey was evenly split at 49 percent to 49 percent. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, speech and the press and Americans’ right to assemble and petition the government.

“Despite the ongoing war on terrorism worldwide and regular warnings from authorities about domestic attacks, a significant majority of Americans continue to support a free and open society,” said Gene Policinski of the First Amendment Center.

The survey was conducted by the Nashville-based center in collaboration with American Journalism Review magazine.