The poll, conducted annually by the Center, finds that 34 percent of Americans agree or strongly agree that the rights conferred on the public under the First Amendment "go too far," down from 49 percent a year ago. In addition, the poll indicates that nearly half of all Americans believe that the public has too little information about the government's efforts to fight terrorism.
Previous polling has indicated that the public has been willing to sacrifice civil liberties if doing so will help make our country safer and more secure. In releasing the findings of this year's poll, Ken Paulson, the executive director of the First Amendment Center, said, “Two years after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., our nation appears to have caught its breath – and regained some perspective."
The First Amendment enumerates five freedoms conferred on the public: the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, a free press, the right to assemble and the right to petition government for the redress of grievances.