How secure is the freedom of the press in America? Probably not as secure as it should be - at least not if the attitudes of the next generation is any indication. They already think that press freedoms go too far and believe that the government should censor stories.

USA Today reports:

The survey of 112,003 students finds that 36% believe newspapers should get "government approval" of stories before publishing; 51% say they should be able to publish freely; 13% have no opinion. Asked whether the press enjoys "too much freedom," not enough or about the right amount, 32% say "too much," and 37% say it has the right amount. Ten percent say it has too little.

The survey "confirms what a lot of people who are interested in this area have known for a long time," [ Jack Dvorak, director of the High School Journalism Institute at Indiana University in Bloomington.] says: Kids aren't learning enough about the First Amendment in history, civics or English classes. It also tracks closely with recent findings of adults' attitudes. ... Although a large majority of students surveyed say musicians and others should be allowed to express "unpopular opinions," 74% say people shouldn't be able to burn or deface an American flag as a political statement; 75% mistakenly believe it is illegal.

Is this the face of the future? Could press freedom be effectively eliminated and government censorship on all stories imposed? It seems impossible, but with attitudes like the above it could occur by popular acclaim. It's really pathetic that so many misunderstandings exist among students — our schools are really failing to do their job.

Read More:

• News on Free Speech and Civil Liberties
• Court Decisions on Free Speech and Censorship