The Freespeech Committee Public Education Campaign

An Informal History of Andvertising

Vol. 2, No. 68

The Freespeech Committee

&

2 Informal History of Andvertising, Vol. 2, No. 68

INTRODUCTION � The Freespeech Committee

� Based in Minneapolis, The Freespeech Committee was a non-profit organization created in 1986 after the eye-opening results of a poll about basic U.S. individual freedoms and the democratic process were published.

� Among the startling data:

� • 3 of 4 Minnesotans said the U.S. government has the right to prohibit the distribution of information it considers damaging to national security;

� • a substantial number thought freedom of expression shouldn’t always apply to everyone;

� • more than 3 of 4 Minnesotans believed government has the right to monitor certain religious groups if they’re thought to be doing something illegal.

� To help reawaken citizens to their taken-for-granted principles of liberty and freedom, the patriot planners conceived, executed and ran a series of newspaper ads.

� On the pages that follow we’re sharing some of their award-winning educational messages.


THE FREESPEECH COMMITTEE � Everything he is today he owes to a free press.

� The Watergate scandal could never have happened in Russia.

� Oh, the actual events might have occurred. Russian officials are just as human as American officials.

� But Russia has no free press. So there would have been no investigation. No news reports. No trials.

� But despite such recent proof of its importance, people still don’t agree on just how free the press should be. In a 1986 poll, 75% of Minnesotans said that the government has the right to prohibit the distribution of information it considers damaging to national security.

� But such a right, unrestricted, would have allowed the government to suppress the Watergate story.

� We should be concerned about our changing attitudes towards America’s basic freedoms. And speak up for The First Amendment. Because the best way to prevent scandals is to allow them to happen.

� ©1987 Ron Anderson, Art Director Bert Gardner, Copywriter


THE FREESPEECH COMMITTEE � The pen is mightier than the sword. But what about scissors?

� Today, only a small minority of the world’s 5 billion inhabitants enjoy the benefits associated with freedom of the press.

� And many of the fortunate few who do enjoy such benefits live in America—land of the free and home of The First Amendment.

� But even though The First Amendment clearly states that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of the press, not everyone agrees as to just how free the press should be.

� For example, in a 1986 poll of Minnesotans, 75% of them said the government has the right to prohibit distribution of information it considers damaging to national security.

� If this right is exercised without restraint, it could lead to a society where no news is good news. If you believe that no news is bad news, you can help protect your right to be informed.

� By speaking up for The First Amendment.

� ©1987 Lee Ann Heltzel, Art Director Bert Gardner, Copywriter


THE FREESPEECH COMMITTEE � The only thing that scares a politician more is premature baldness.

� Any politician knows that the most effective public watchdog around is a free press.

� Without one, we cannot be an informed citizenry.

� That’s why our right to know the facts is guaranteed by The First Amendment.

� Unfortunately, we seem to be changing our attitude toward the basic freedoms upon which America was built.

� For example, in a 1986 poll, 75% of Minnesotans said the government has the right to prohibit the distribution of information it considers damaging to national security.

� But this right, unrestricted, would have kept us from knowing anything about Watergate.

� If you would like to help protect America’s freedom of expression, we suggest you use it.

� And speak up for The First Amendment.

� ©1987 Larry Jarvis, Art Director Bert Gardner, Copywriter


THE FREESPEECH COMMITTEE � Just how strong is your belief in religious freedom?

� It’s no accident that the first words of The First Amendment to the U.S. constitution are these:

� “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

� Because the founding fathers were well aware that wherever religion was established, some form of religious intolerance, oppression or persecution was likely to follow.

� Even so, not everyone agrees as to how much The First Amendment restricts government involvement in religious matters.

� For example, in a 1986 poll of Minnesotans, 77% of them believed the government has the right to monitor certain religious groups if they are thought to be doing something illegal.

� Obviously, no one has a right to break the law. But the question still arises: who would monitor the government monitors?

� One of the best ways to protect your rights under the law is to exercise them.

� So if you want to speak up for The First Amendment, feel free.

©1987 Ron Anderson, Art Director Bert Gardner, Copywriter


THE FREESPEECH COMMITTEE � Some people think the only way to make their voice heard is by taking away everyone else’s.

� As a U.S. citizen, your right to speak your mind is guaranteed by The First Amendment, which says in no uncertain terms that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech.

� Unfortunately, a surprising number of people want to add a lot of ifs, ands, or buts.

� For example, in a 1986 poll of Minnesotans, 40% of them said government should prohibit expression of views that might lead people to commit undesirable or violent acts.

� Trouble is, if someone else’s right to express an unpopular view is ignored today, your right to express a different view may be ignored tomorrow.

� One of the best ways to protect your freedom of expression is to use it.


� ©1987 Ron Anderson, Art Director Bert Gardner, Copywriter


THE FREESPEECH COMMITTEE � You have the right not to remain silent.







� ©1987 Larry Jarvis, Art Director Bert Gardner, Copywriter


THE FREESPEECH COMMITTEE � Freedom of assembly is not an unmixed blessing.

� Most Americans agree wholeheartedly that The First Amendment guarantees the right of peaceful assembly.

� For themselves.

� But not everyone believes that this guarantee should protect all individuals or groups. Especially those with a history of violence.

� For example, a 1986 poll showed that a substantial number of Minnesotans thought freedom of expression shouldn’t always apply to such groups as Nazis or the Ku Klux Klan.

� Trouble is, if the rights of the unpopular groups are ignored today, the rights of a group you belong to may be ignored tomorrow.



� ©1987 Ron Anderson, Art Director Dick Thomas, Copywriter


THE FREESPEECH COMMITTEE � He killed three million people who didn’t agree with him.







� ©1987 Larry Jarvis, Art Director Craig McNamara, Copywriter


THE FREESPEECH COMMITTEE � He wasn’t protected by The First Amendment.

� It’s no accident that the first words of The First Amendment to the U.S. constitution are these:

� “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

� Because the founding fathers were well aware that wherever religion was established, some form of religious intolerance, oppression or persecution was likely to follow.

� Even so, not everyone agrees as to how much The First Amendment restricts government involvement in religious matters.

� For example, in a 1986 poll of Minnesotans, 77% of them believed the government has the right to monitor certain religious groups if they are thought to be doing something illegal.

� Obviously, no one has a right to break the law. But the question still arises: who would monitor the government monitors?

� One of the best ways to protect your rights under the law is to exercise them.

� So if you want to speak up for The First Amendment, feel free.

©1987 Ron Anderson, Art Director Dick Thomas, Copywriter

12

� We must pay rent on the space we occupy on this planet.

–  Ron Anderson �  Godfather of Minneapolis Advertising

� Photo: ampersandvertising.com

“”

The Freespeech Committee Public Education Campaign

News & Politics

Transcript of The Freespeech Committee Public Education Campaign