Who Does the First Amendment Protect?

Students generally have an intuitive understanding of Freedom of Speech. Freedom of the Press is a little more nuanced. Students are even more confused when the right to speech bumps up against the right to a free press. One of those battles is being argued now as extremist persons and groups seek a right to express their views and raise money on popular web sites. NPR reports.

Questions...

•What does the First Amendment freedom of speech mean to you? What does freedom of the press mean to you?

•Should Internet companies have the right to exclude views they feel are offensive or dangerous?

•Is raising money a form of speech? Does that mean that extremist groups have a First Amendment right to not get kicked off crowdfunding websites?

•Is Google more like the LA Times or CBS (which can legally control what goes into the paper or onto the screen) or is it more like the phone company (which can't legally exclude groups they don't like from making phone calls)?