What is the significance of the First Amendment with speech and press?

The First Amendment grants Americans with the freedom of speech, press and religion and forbids government interference. Without our First Amendment rights we would be unable to express ourselves through media and there would be many restrictions to what could be released to the public. The First Amendment guarantees U.S. citizens the right to publicly protest policies and government officials. Similar to the Fourth estate, the First Amendment acts as a watchdog to the people in power. The First Amendment gives citizens a chance to politically express themselves through varying methods such as literature, entertainment, advertising, emotive speeches and hate speeches. Although the United States has First Amendment rights, the government felt that it was necessary to put some restrictions and censorships on some aspects of freedom of speech and press in order to ensure national security and keep the public safe.