ABSTRACT
Although the First Amendment guarantees the rights of freedom of speech and press, these rights are not absolute. With freedom comes the knowledge that irresponsible actions can lead to the regulation of that freedom by others. As is often the case, the protection against outside regulation of freedoms lies in self-restraint. When one Constitutionally guaranteed right comes into conflict with another, the courts must attempt to balance the two rights. Such is the case regarding press coverage of criminal trials. Irresponsible behavior by press, bench, and bar led to an imbalance between First and Sixth Amendment rights.
