Freedom Of Press Essays Example

The constitution of the United States expresses the freedom of the press as the right to collect, print and circulate ideas and information without control. ``Universal declaration of Human Rights” also provides for the right to ``freedom of the press” by stating "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.”
In various countries, legislation that guide the application of the`` freedom of press” have been passed. The legislation enhances the enforceability of this right in case a dispute arises. For instance, the ``First Amendment’’ in the United States provides for ``freedom of the press.”
``Freedom of the press”, therefore, allows people to publish their information without prior conditions. In ``Near v Minnesota,’’ the trial court held that the government had no authority to stop the publication of stories by a newspaper because it deemed the stories to be outrageous. The court held that the government could only seek a retrain if the stories would call for a coup or if the ``national security” is under threat and this was not the issue in this case.
However, the government is allowed to impose some limitation on freedom of the press if the security of the country is in danger. In 2001, the United Sates forbade the airing of tapes that contained statements by Osama Bin Laden. The prohibition was out of fear that the statements may contain some hidden meaning for the common person to understand thus facilitating the passing of a destructive message to other terrorist.
In conclusion, freedom of the press is very important in any country. We find that the journalist are responsible for keeping the public informed thus restricting this right will affect the entire nation indirectly.