The first amendment, though only 45 words in its entirety, has proved the most profound and widest reaching law in the United States Constitution, giving the people of the United States free speech, freedom of the press, freedom to choose and observe any religion, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government. Through and in the name of the first amendment' s protection of the press, all members of society are allowed …showed first 75 words of 947 total…

…showed last 75 words of 947 total…that the paper is a forum for free expression by policy. The second option is the more effective but less likely way to avoid lawsuit, so many papers in the 42 states that do not enjoy additional protection often include a section in the paper near the masthead that clearly states the paper as a public forum. By doing so the paper distances itself from the school curriculum, and therefore from the control of the school.