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Americans' support for civil liberties recovers from 9/11

Americans' support for the freedom of religion, speech and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution has returned to levels not seen since before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks nearly three years ago, an annual survey on the subject shows.

The survey released Monday found that 65 percent of respondents disagreed with the statement "the [Constitution's] First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees."

Thirty percent agreed with the statement.

Two years ago the response to the question in the survey was evenly split at 49 percent to 49 percent. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, speech and the press, as well as Americans' right to assemble and petition the government.

"Despite the ongoing war on terrorism worldwide and regular warnings from authorities about domestic attacks, a significant majority of Americans continue to support a free and open society," said Gene Policinski, director of the First Amendment Center.

The survey was conducted by the Nashville-based center in collaboration with American Journalism Review magazine. One thousand respondents were surveyed by telephone between May 6 and June 6. The sampling error was 3 percentage points.

Large numbers of Americans would restrict speech that might offend racial or religious groups and would restrict music that might offend anyone.

Also, about four in 10 respondents said that the press in America has too much freedom.

Policinski said a current trend toward greater support for the First Amendment began last year.
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