Free to Tweet
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‘Free to Tweet’ judging begins
Judging begins this week for “Free to Tweet,” an unprecedented scholarship competition in support of the First Amendment. Thousands of Americans participated in “Free to Tweet,” recognizing First Amendment freedoms and putting a largely overlooked holiday back in the public eye.
Semi-finalists will be selected in December, with a separate panel of judges determining the finalists in January.
More than 17,000 tweets and messages were sent on Dec. 15, commemorating the 220th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Entrants ages 14-22 were eligible for one of 22 $5,000 scholarships.
“Free to Tweet” was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and organized by 1 for All, an unprecedented educational and public service campaign that builds understanding of the First Amendment.
The White House issued an official proclamation urging all Americans to honor and support Bill of Rights Day and tweeted “Happy Bill of Rights Day! The US continues to stand with citizens & governments around the world who empower free expression.”
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, Tenn., read a column about the “Free to Tweet” campaign and went to the floor of the House of Representatives to talk about the importance of the Bill of Rights.
Bill of Rights Day gets its overdue due!
Thousands of Americans helped put Bill of Rights Day back on the calendar on Dec. 15.
In an online promotional effort dubbed “Free to Tweet,” more than 17,000 people, including thousands of students, tweeted or e-mailed their appreciation for the core freedoms in the first 10 amendments to the Constitution on the 220th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, Dec. 15, 1791. Messages began at midnight Eastern Time and continued throughout the day until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
There actually is an official national Bill of Rights Day — it was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in November 1941. Just days later, however, Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States entered World War II. The holiday declaration was largely forgotten.
“Bill of Rights Day 2011 was truly special, a first step in revitalizing a holiday established by President Roosevelt in 1941, but largely uncelebrated since then,” said Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment Center and the American Society of News Editors, two of the organizations that organized and promoted Free to Tweet. “It was inspiring to see the contributions of thousands of young Americans who spoke up for the First Amendment and our most fundamental freedoms.”
Significant big-name buy-in to Bill of Rights Day enhanced the celebration:
- The White House tweeted: “Happy Bill of Rights Day! The US continues to stand with citizens & governments around the world who empower free expression.” It also issued a proclamation urging all Americans to honor and support the day.
- U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., saluted the 220th anniversary of the Bill of Rights on the floor of the House of Representatives.
- Musical artists tweeted their support. Some examples:
Blake Shelton: “I sing what I want, the way I want to. That’s freedom. Support 1st Amendment 12/15. Win $5k scholarship.”
Brad Paisley: “With all the nations struggling for freedom,today is the day to count our blessings. Start with good ol’ amendment number 1.”
Wynonna Judd: “Love your Freedom of Speech? Then tweet #freetotweet today and express yourself.”
Ann Wilson of Heart: “Shake that pelvis, Elvis! Freedom of expression! Support 1st Amendment 12/15. Win $5,000 scholarship.”
Mary Chapin Carpenter: “Happy 220th Birthday to the First Amendment.”
John Oates: “I write songs to share my thoughts & ideas. That’s freedom of speech. Support 1st Amendment today, Dec. 15.”
Sarah Jarosz: “As a musician, I cherish my freedom of expression! Celebrating how fortunate we are to have our First Amendment rights!”
Jason Crabb: “I speak the name of Jesus & sing gospel music! Tks Bill of Rights! Support 1st Amend.”
Jana Kramer: “I express myself creatively to my fans without fear or censorship. Support 1st Amendment 12/15.”
Joe Nichols: “We are free to say whatever we want, but with freedom comes responsibility. It’s a great freedom. Treat it so.”
As part of the daylong celebration, the Newseum in Washington, D.C., hosted an afternoon conference exploring the role of social media in shaping young people’s sense of First Amendment principles. A classroom guide for teachers, Social Media, the Classroom and the First Amendment, was released and discussed.
The tweetathon at #FreetoTweet encouraged every American to share online how they enjoy exercising their First Amendment rights, in order to raise awareness of the freedoms Americans value but often take for granted.
Students ages 14-22 had an extra incentive to tweet. Every student tweet with the hash tag #FreeToTweet was entered to win one of 22 $5,000 scholarships — a total of $110,000. A panel will select and announce the winners in early 2012.
“Free to Tweet” is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and organized by 1 for All, an unprecedented educational and public service campaign that builds understanding of the First Amendment and its five distinct freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly and petition.
See who else tweeted on Dec. 15
Free to Tweet is part of the “1 for All” First Amendment campaign and is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
I put that website I help out my son pto and if I won I wound help out at his school he is only 5 so I have many years to help I’m him room mom and I’m in the class a few time a week it is a little hard I have to drive my husband to work to make to school in time we only have one car
have winners been announced yet?
We’re awaiting final judging.
Have the winners been notified? If not, is there a timetable for the announcements?
I can’t wait to hear who the scholarship winners are!
When do we find out if we won the competition?
great experience.
Will semi-finalists be notified?
We are free to tweet
[...] Show your support for our First Amendment rights: freedom of speech, religion and the press, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition the government. Encourage students from 14 to 22 to compete for one of 22 $5,000 scholarships in the “Free to Tweet” competition. [...]
usa
Fight for YOUR RIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Freedom to tweet
On Nov. 21, Emma Sullivan, a senior at Shawnee Mission East High School in Kansas tweeted, “Just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person #heblowsalot.” Thus, Sullivan unknowingly sparked a firestorm about freedom of speech and social media networks.
Sullivan was attending a Youth in Government Program in Topeka, Kansas where Governor Sam Brownback was speaking at when she sent her tweet.
Brownback’s office monitors social media networks for postings that include the governor’s name and when they saw Sullivan’s tweet contacted the youth program coordinator who then contacted Sullivan’s principal.
Sullivan was called into her principal’s office and told that she needed to write an apology to Brownback. But in a strange turn of events, Brownback is now finding himself the one to issue an apology.
“My staff overreacted to this tweet, and for that I apologize. Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms,” said Brownback in a statement released Nov. 28.
Sullivan, who’s followers on Twitter went from 62 to over 15,000 people, has been using the social media site to continue to bring awareness to the topic; tweeting, “I’ve decided not to write the letter but I hope this opens the door for average citizens to voice their opinion & to be heard! #goingstrong.”
This public example of freedom of speech is a great tool to teach others about the protection of their First Amendment rights. In a day and age where anything and everything can be posted for the public to view and comment on, it is important to teach not only teenagers and children, but adults as well about freedom of speech and the use of technology, when it is combined.
Sullivan’s tweet, regardless of how harsh it may sound, is protected under the First Amendment.
Under the First Amendment, “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.”
Freedom of speech does not just protect a person when they say something to a person’s face. It means that, like Sullivan, they can tweet an opinion, or post a status and as long as their actions don’t put others in danger their freedom of speech is protected.
Freedom of speech has always come under fire, from freedom of speech in films (Joseph Burstyn, Inc. v. Wilson; 1952) to preventing a school district from disciplining a high school student for giving a lewd speech at a school assembly (Bethel School Dist. No. 403 v. Fraser; 1986).
Freedom of speech is granted to every citizen in the United States but as society becomes more involved with online social media, freedom of speech is sure to be targeted more frequently.
Sullivan is well within her First Amendment rights and, although she may receive some dislike for what she said, she is protected and allowed to voice her own opinion.
High school students across America should take note about freedom of speech and the use of the internet because it is easier today then it was twenty years ago to get in serious trouble for comments posted online.
Caitlin Ortiz, a college student, got in trouble with her softball coach, in June, after posting a picture of herself and lyrics from Big Sean and Chris Brown’s song, “My Last.” She reportedly lost her scholarship and was kicked off the softball team at her school.
Sullivan, just like Ortiz, is doing the right thing by taking a stand and making a point. Sullivan didn’t do anything wrong, but tweeted her own opinion and yet she got in trouble for it.
Taking a stand and promoting the protection of First Amendment rights is important and it takes strong individuals to do that.
Twitter on Dec. 15 will be holding an event called “Free to Tweet”. They invite students ages 14 to 22 to tweet their support for the First Amendment with the hash tag #freetotweet. This will enter them in a competition to win a $5000 scholarship.
However, anyone is welcome to tweet and show their gratitude for the first amendment rights and Twitter is already getting big name celebrities to join in, such as, Ke$ha, Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley.
The First Amendment needs to be protected because it is essential to the freedom of every citizen in the country. If it comes to making an individual’s story public to help bring awareness to a cause than that may just need to happen.
As Sullivan tweeted, “”First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” –Gandhi.”
Students: “Rise up, stand up. Stand up for your rights!”
The 1st Amendment is perfect for any country. It was one of the most important things that have ever happened to the Earth. Without it we could not protest what we think is right, get together with friends and do things that you love, the quartering soldiers would be everywhere, and ect. If we did not have the 1st Amendment the US would be a disaster or possibly the Apocalypse of the US.
the first amendment was actually not the first amendment proposed in the original bill of rights #freetotweet #loumhs
I think that people should be able to say what they want and how they want them. There is no body that can stop them. It is a free country and we will leave it that way. Music is the best especially country music. I really like it, so leave them alone, because it is their songs and however they want them they can have them. So good luck to all you country singers and also all the other singers.
This is such a great way to inform people about the first amendment!!! (:
1st Amendment
I can tweet my thoughts
The first ammendment allows you to express your views on whether or not you believe capital punishment is cruel and unusual punishment; supported by the eithth ammendment of the constitutuon.
I totally agree with the 1st amendment…freedom of speech!
The fact that i can say anything at anytime is AMERICA
What if you’re between 14-22, but are not a student. Can you still win?
Happy Birthday Bill Of Rights!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL OF RIGHTS! 220 years ago the Bill of Rights were created by James Madison. They were created to give us our independence from Britain. The first five rights we have stated in the first amendment are freedom of religion, assembly, speech, petition, and press. Those have to be some of the important rights we could have ever in our life. These amendments help us be the people we are today. Without them this world we live in would be mad or somewhere near it. This scholarship would help my family and I get the education that every young adult should have. My family does not have a lot of money, so I have to get scholarships to go to college. This would be one of the best things that has ever happened.
Fight the fight on the local front, too. http://ow.ly/80prg
Happy Birthday Bil of Rights! 220 years ago a man by the name of James Madison created the Bill of Rights for freedom of assembly, religion, speech, petition and press.
today we wish a happy birthday to the bill of rights its 220th birthday for all the rights it gives us as people of the U.S.A we will never forget the day that these rights were given to us.
Happy 220th birthday Bill of Rights! Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
[...] this future photojournalist’s entry into the Knight Foundation & 1 for All’s ‘Free to Tweet’ [...]
[...] contest, dubbed “Free to Tweet” started at midnight today, and the rules are simple – send a tweet with the hashtag [...]
[...] education) and organized by 1 For All, the unique scholarship competition is aptly titled, Free to Tweet. It’s only open to students age 14 to 22. And it’s only happening on Thursday, Dec. 15 [...]
[...] Dec. 14, 2011 – Nashville, TN – Christian music favorite Jason Crabb has added his name to the list of artists and celebrities speaking out in support of the 220th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Jason joins lauded musicians Wynonna, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Frankie Ballard, Darius Rucker, The Civil Wars, Heart, John Oates, Joe Nichols and more. A full list of supporters can be found here: http://1forall.us/freetotweet [...]
[...] Dec. 14, 2011 – Nashville, TN – Christian music favorite Jason Crabb has added his name to the list of artists and celebrities speaking out in support of the 220th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Jason joins lauded musicians Wynonna, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Frankie Ballard, Darius Rucker, The Civil Wars, Heart, John Oates, Joe Nichols and more. A full list of supporters can be found here: http://1forall.us/freetotweet [...]
[...] by tweeting with #FreeToTweet on December 15, 2011!For more information about the contest visit 1 For All.Follow J-School Buzz on Twitter and Like us on Facebook About Cody Lee Heyveld A Broadcast [...]
Wow, was hoping as a middle of the roader, would qualify. Good luck to those who do in this contest.
Happy Birthday Bill of Rights. This is 220 years now and the bill of rights deserves a Happy Birthday!
[...] Jarosz, Joe Nichols, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brad Paisley, The Civil Wars, and more are taking to Twitter tomorrow, on National Bill of Rights Day, in celebration of the First [...]
[...] “Free to Tweet” effort encourages students ages 14 to 22 to share on Twitter how they enjoy their right to free [...]
[...] on Dec. 15 will be holding an event called “Free to Tweet”. They invite students ages 14 to 22 to tweet their support for the First Amendment with the hash [...]
[...] following is an entry in the “Free to Tweet” competition. It was submitted using the true identity of @PrezHuddleston (in accordance with [...]
[...] MONEY BY TWEETING: there’s a 1st Amendment Tweeting contest next Thursday, Dec. 15. Details are here. Ke’sha’s doing it. Brad Paisley’s doing it. C.E.’s doing it. You [...]
[...] Dec. 15, the Knight Foundation is sponsoring Free to Tweet, encouraging everyone to tweet about the value of the First Amendment by sending a tweet with the [...]
[...] by Frank LoMonte of SPLC, about students’ First Amendment rights.Related Resources on the Web:1 for All: Free to Tweet A national campaign promoting First Amendment rights. The Web site includes teaching resources, a [...]
[...] Show your support for our First Amendment rights: freedom of speech, religion and the press, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition the government. Encourage students from 14 to 22 to compete for one of 22 $5,000 scholarships in the “Free to Tweet” competition. [...]
[...] So Blake will be one of several celebs taking part Dec. 15 in the center’s “Free to Tweet” contest. [...]
[...] campaign is launching an innovative promotion called “Free to Tweet,” to encourage young people to celebrate the First Amendment on that date. Students who tweet [...]
[...] actividades de ese programa, han lanzado un concurso dirigido a jóvenes de entre 14 y 22 años, Free To Tweet, que los involucre en la difusión de las libertades que la Primera Enmienda [...]