Study: Few Americans Know 1st Amendment

March 5, 2006

By ANNA JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer Wed Mar 1, 11:32 AM ET

CHICAGO - Americans apparently know more about " The Simpsons " than

they do about the First Amendment.

Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms

guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, press,

assembly and petition for redress of grievances.) But more than half

can name at least two members of the cartoon family, according to a

survey.

The study by the new McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum found that 22

percent of Americans could name all five Simpson family members,

compared with just one in 1,000 people who could name all five First

Amendment freedoms.

Joe Madeira, director of exhibitions at the museum, said he was

surprised by the results.

" Part of the survey really shows there are misconceptions, and part of

our mission is to clear up these misconceptions, " said Madeira, whose

museum will be dedicated to helping visitors understand the First

Amendment when it opens in April. " It means we have our job cut out

for us. "

The survey found more people could name the three " American Idol "

judges than identify three First Amendment rights. They were also more

likely to remember popular advertising slogans.

It also showed that people misidentified First Amendment rights. About

one in five people thought the right to own a pet was protected, and

38 percent said they believed the right against self-incrimination

contained in the Fifth Amendment was a First Amendment right, the

survey found.

The telephone survey of 1,000 adults was conducted Jan. 20-22 by the

research firm Synovate and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3

percentage points.

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