The New First Amendment

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

- Amendment 1, Bill of Rights

The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights seems simple enough.  Congress can't limit speech.  Period.  However, according to the Politico, many right-leaning media outlets are preparing to face exactly that.  Aside from rumors of the rejuvenation of the Fairness Doctrine which would force radio and TV stations to provide equal airtime to opposing views, there are serious worries that the Obama administration would limit access to the president to those journalists it feels would bolster the administration's agenda. 

Clearly, this is part of Mr. Obama's strategy to change the Washington politics.  No longer will he allow tough, challenging questions to be asked by both conservatives and liberals alike, but rather he will seek out those few "special" members of the media who are more prepared to sacrifice their obligation to inform the public in order to get a quick story. 

Sarcasm aside, it will, I am sure, be pointed out that previous presidents have granted more favorable access to those reporters who they felt would present a favorable story, however, as the president who ran on a message of change and a promise to reform politics, it is interesting that Obama has so quickly begun a campaign of politics as usual.  it is my prediction that Obama will attempt to present a facade of change, but with limited opposing views, it will be hard to understand whether his proclamations are in fact truth, or if they are simply the empty words of yet another Washington insider.