Freedom of the press
Principle of minimal government censorship over published expression.
Freedom of the press, also known as freedom of the media, is the fundamental principle that communication and expression through various media, including printed and electronic media, especially published materials, should be considered a right to be exercised freely. Such freedom implies no or minimal censorship or prior restraint from government, and is often protected by laws or a provision in a constitution. The concept of freedom of speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press, thereby giving equal treatment to spoken and published expression; many countries also protect scientific freedom.
- major_watchdogs
- Reporters Without Borders, Committee to Protect Journalists, Freedom House
- highest_press_freedom_2022
- Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Portugal, Costa Rica
- lowest_press_freedom_2022
- North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cuba, Iraq, Syria
Reader's Guide
Freedom of the press is not construed as an absence of interference by outside entities, but rather as a right for authors to have their works published by other people. This idea was famously summarized by the 20th-century American journalist A. J. Liebling: 'Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.' Government restrictions on freedom of the press may include classified information, state secrets, punishment for libel, punishment for violation of copyright, privacy, or judicial orders. Where freedom of the press is lacking, governments may require pre-publication approval, or punish distribution of documents critical of the government or certain political perspectives. Jurisdictions with high levels of transparency are subject to 'sunshine laws' or freedom of information legislation that allow citizens broad access to government-held information. A free and independent press has been theorized to be a key mechanism of a functioning, healthy democracy, serving as a watchdog of private and government action and providing information to maintain an informed citizenry of voters. In non-democratic states, strict control of access to information is critical to the existence of most non-democratic governments, which often employ state-run news organizations to promote propaganda and suppress dissent.
Did You Know?
- More than a third of the world's people live in countries where there is no press freedom, according to Reporters Without Borders.
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