Exploring the First Amendment: Why It Still Matters in 2025

When people talk about “freedom” in America, they’re often talking, whether they realize it or not, about the First Amendment. It’s a powerful piece of the U.S. Constitution that protects some of our most essential rights: freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. These aren’t just lofty ideals written centuries ago. They shape our daily lives and are constantly being tested, reinterpreted, and debated, especially now in 2025.

In this blog series, we’ll take a closer look at each of these freedoms, what they mean, why they matter, and how they’re being challenged today. We’ll explore major court decisions, evolving laws, and the tough questions that come with living in a world that’s changing faster than ever.

To give you a quick preview:

Freedom of Religion means the government can’t force you to follow a particular faith, or stop you from practicing your own. But what happens when religious beliefs clash with public school curriculums or government mandates? In 2025, courts are wrestling with cases about whether parents can opt their kids out of reading certain books in school, whether religious organizations should get government funding, and even whether states can post the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Freedom of Speech is often seen as the heart of the First Amendment. It lets us speak our minds, whether in person, online, or through art and protest. But what happens when speech crosses into harmful territory, or when platforms like TikTok are caught in the middle of global politics? This year, the Supreme Court upheld laws around age-verifying adult content and ruled on a law forcing TikTok’s parent company to sell. Free speech advocates are watching closely.

We’re also seeing major debates over Section 230, the law that protects websites from being held liable for what their users post. States like Texas and Florida are pushing laws to prevent platforms from moderating content based on political viewpoint, which could change how online speech works altogether.

And then there’s AI and misinformation. How do we handle deepfakes and deceptive political content without infringing on free expression?

Freedom of the Press gives journalists the ability to report on the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable for those in power. But in 2025, journalists face real risks. From threats to their safety, to proposed changes in DOJ policies that could make it easier to subpoena reporters. On top of that, economic pressures and the rise of AI-generated content are reshaping how news is created and consumed.

Freedom of Assembly and the Right to Petition the Government protect our ability to protest and push for change. But in today’s political climate, those rights are under pressure too. Proposed policies, like those in Project 2025, could increase the use of force against protestors and restrict journalists covering these events. And as the Supreme Court considers lifting limits on how much political parties can spend with candidates, the line between money and speech is again under scrutiny.

So yes! The First Amendment is still a big deal. And in the coming blog posts, we’ll dive into each of these freedoms in more detail. We’ll look at what the Constitution says, what the courts are deciding, and what it all means for us today, whether we're students, creators, activists, or just trying to make sense of the world around us.

Stay tuned...we’re just getting started.