The Meaning of Freedom of the Press: A Legal and Philosophical Approach

Abstract

The fundamental right to the freedom of the press has frequently been relied upon, not only by legal professionals, but also in discourses involving any public figure. Defenders of the freedom of the press tend to construe this right as a set of obligations for the government (regulation) to stay away from certain matters. This paper presents arguments to support a slightily different interpretation, under which freedom of the press is a more complex right covering various important values, in addition to the undisturbed operation of journalists, editors, and media outlets. The paper discusses the philosophical foundations of this fundamental right.

Keywords: Freedom of the press, Freedom of speech