The notion that communication and expression through various media, including written and electronic media, especially published information, should be recognized a right to be freely exercised is known as freedom of the press or freedom of the media.
The freedom of the press refers to the ability to criticize the government in the absence of fear of obstruction or punishment from the government, either before or after publication. In the United States, the terms 'freedom of the press', 'freedom of speech', and 'freedom of expression' are frequently used interchangeably, with 'the press' largely referring to print and electronic media. The clearest evidence of press freedom is the ability of opponents of the government or government leaders, laws, or policies to publish effective criticisms in default of fear of punishment from the government in the form of fines, imprisonment, or even death. That definition excludes communications that may violate laws of universal applicability, such as the law of fraud, or communications that violate a contract. It also excludes extralegal limitations such as a communicator's perception of the community's permissible range of expression or public pressures (including mob action) against the press during times of crisis. The legal definition of 'freedom of the press' in the United States begins with the forty-five words of the First Amendment to the Constitution, which was adopted on December 15, 1791: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or the free exercise thereof, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances”. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were then passed by Congress, making it a felony to criticize the federal government or government leaders, among other things. The Historical Context section discusses these short-lived enactments, which sparked bitter party disagreement in the fledgling republic. Freedom of the press fluctuates: it increases during times of peace and decreases during times of war or national disaster, when it is most needed by society.
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In short, freedom of the press is critical to the proper operation of a democracy. It is critical for people to be socially conscious of what is going on in the world. One must have the ability to criticize the government; this keeps the administration on their toes and motivates them to do better for the country.
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Informative Essay on Freedom of the Press.
(2023, September 19). Edubirdie. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/informative-essay-on-freedom-of-the-press/
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2023 Sept 19 [cited 2024 Dec 22].
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