1. Media Law and Ethics There was a time when criticizing the government or a political leader was illegal. What is the First Amendment? The part of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights that guarantees freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. Just 46 words long, the amendment guarantees citizens essential freedoms. 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 of the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.