Blake Shelton Is ‘Free to Tweet’ for a Good Cause

Blake Shelton has come under fire for his sometimes controversial tweets, earning criticism from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) to name a few. But the singer's candid posts are earning him praise, as well. Blake has joined the Free to Tweet campaign, an online celebration of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech.

The initiative, which begins at midnight on Dec. 15 and lasts throughout the day, is sponsored by the nonpartisan program, 1 For All. The founder of 1 For All, First Amendment Center president Ken Paulson, believes the reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year is a natural fit for the organization's cause. "Free speech comes naturally to Blake Shelton," says Paulson (quote via CMTT). "Candor and integrity are hallmarks of his career and we're very pleased to have him join this effort."

In addition to promoting the right of free speech, the program asks students ages 14-22 to tweet their support for the First Amendment beginning at midnight on Dec. 15, using the hash tag #freetotweet, which will automatically enter them in a contest to win one of 22 $5,000 scholarships.

Fellow country stars Joe Nichols, Frankie Ballard, Mary Chapin Carpenter and newcomer Jana Kramer are all lending support to the program, along with Ellen DeGeneres, Ke$ha, John Mellencamp and 'Meet the Press' moderator David Gregory.

Brad Paisley joined the 1 For All campaign earlier this year as well. "Freedom is what makes America great," says the entertainer. "I count myself blessed to live in a country where I can exercise that right every day, whether I'm writing, recording or performing."