ABSTRACT
The First Amendment guarantees broad rights to journalists-the government can prevent publication of news only in extraordinary circumstances and journalists are virtually immune from criminal penalties for criticizing public officials. However, to the dismay of the media’s many critics, the First Amendment does not balance those rights by requiring journalists to be responsible. The First Amendment does not force journalists to be fair or balanced, to thoroughly research every story, to report a story within its context, or even acknowledge and apologize for errors.
