(NaturalNews) Even though the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is straightforward and set in stone - restricting government in many important ways - it is still challenged and threatened in the 21st century. One of the key provisions of the first amendment declares that laws cannot be made "infringing on the freedom of the press." This is pretty straightforward, but sometimes laws are strategically written to restrict the freedom of the press. For example, one Arkansas bill was written to punish people who filmed animal abuses "with the purpose to cause harm to the livestock or poultry operation."

A similar bill in Pennsylvania fines undercover journalists for videotaping animal abuses without the permission of the farm's owner.

Powerful agricultural lobbies convinced the Idaho legislature to ban undercover videos at factory farms where mass animal abuse was the norm. Thankfully, that ban restricting the free press has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge and the animal abuses can be now brought to light.

The free press is being intimidated as government officials go after truth-tellers

Government officials, who have sworn to defend the Constitution, sometimes go after truth-tellers and whistleblowers instead of upholding the law. A corrupt government official, motivated by pride, may defend his political interests by going after the investigative journalist instead of prosecuting the lawless ones who were exposed by the journalist!

The truth-tellers working undercover for The Center for Medical Progress are currently experiencing this bizarre reality. The Obama Administration is arrogantly investigating this truth-telling group after they exposed heinous crimes, showing Planned Parenthood executives trafficking human baby parts for profit on video.

This shows that the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights are nothing more than words on paper that can be overridden by powerful industries that profit from secretly abusing life on Earth. This shows that the Bill of Rights must be exercised and put into action by honest people who understand its importance. People who go undercover and film these crimes against animals and these crimes against human life are doing just that.

A document itself doesn't defend life and liberty. The Constitution must not be taken for granted. Many times, the people have to actively defend life and liberty with their voices, intentions and actions. Often times, standing up for one's rights and the rights of the abused, tortured and the cut up comes with a price, and this price comes in the form of intimidation.

A truly free press is important for shedding light on the darkest secrets of organized crime. A truly free press asks questions and investigates beyond the shine, keeping the powers that be accountable to a republic that values due process. Hidden animal abuses, corruption between government and industry, organized theft, and even organ harvesting are all uncovered because of independent journalists who are willing to be the active free press in the face of intimidating industries.

The mainstream media is not always a truly free press

Today it appears that the press is free, with television news networks airing a constant stream of events. Most of the time, the events shown on the mainstream media only brush the surface and do not investigate the heart of what's really happening. That is why the freedom of citizen journalists is important. While the mainstream media talking heads are concerned with keeping their audience entertained with controversy and confusion, the independent media is interested in bringing people together to soul search and realize universal truths so that life and liberty can be protected for all.

Mercy for Animals uncovers abuses at factory farms, leading to prosecutions

In its 16 years undercover, Mercy for Animals has conducted more than 40 investigations at factory farms and slaughterhouses, documenting animal cruelty that goes as far as animal sex abuse. Their undercover work has led to 50 prosecutions for serial animal abusers who have no respect for life. Thanks to their fearless efforts, the public can now see what goes on at factory farms like this Idaho dairy farm.

Center for Medical Progress exposes morbid baby body part trafficking

Likewise, the Center for Medical Progress works undercover to expose the morbid practice of human organ harvesting. Their investigations reveal several top-level Planned Parenthood executives talking about selling body parts from fetuses and the strategic surgical strategies used preserve specific organs. The irony here is that animal abusers are being prosecuted for their crimes while organ harvesting and human body part trafficking are getting the green light!

As the free press beckons transparency and the public's eyes are opened to the abuses going on in secret, will there be a newfound respect for all of life, whether it be tortured animals or strategically cut-up fetuses?

Sources:
USAToday.com
USAToday.com
LATimes.com