...people believe that freedom of speech is something that should be limited when it come to sensitive information. I feel that if its limited it not freedom. This was a big problem. Note it was a problem. Its not the information that is so called sensitive it’s the public’s reaction to it that causes the problem I think the world only has a problem with freedom of press when it’s either about them or if its bad press. I have never seen anyone complaining about press that is in his or her favor or anything that is not in his or her favor Freedom of the press is defined by dictionary.com as the right to circulate opinion in print without censorship from the government. America’s Founding Fathers believed so strongly in the right to free speech that they codified it in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states in part, “Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” This right was considered so important it was the first of the ten freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights. So why should anyone think or feel that they can limit people on their right as humans. I see freedom of press as the same thing as freedom of speech. Most individual are fine with freedom of press until it hits home. So why take the right away when your in the spotlight. It just isn’t fair. I really don’t think that sensitive information sways people in the work plae one way or the other. For everything that said in the press there is something...
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...of rights in 1786 when he wrote “Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of press, not that be limited without danger of losing it.” It is precisely when the free press is telling us what we don’t want to hear, when it’s challenging government officials, exposing government misconduct and refusing to be the unofficial mouthpiece of any government agency, that the press stands most in need of peoples’ protection. The form of media that we commonly refer to as the "news," disseminates information with the primary goal of informing the citizenry and, thereby, the democracy. This is in contrast to the political / entertainment media which diffuses information with the primary goal of generating profit, money and/or political power, regardless of its impact on democracy. Because media, generally, has no citizenship (media is not human), no form of media has an inalienable right to freedom of speech. However, as part of its information-providing role and in order to fulfill its vital mission, the news media must be free to report its observations that are facts regardless of the potential outcomes. In other words, media has an inherent duty to observe, investigate and report to the public about government and political process, and must, therefore, be able to report those observations free of infringements by government or any other force, including and most especially corporations. This freedom of speech protection must extend to those areas of the "news" that involve...
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...free and fearless press. In a democracy, the press must enjoy complete freedom and should not be subjected to any restriction. The voice of the press is the voice of the people. Censoring the press means the suppression of people’s voice. So the very survival of democracy inevitably depends on the freedom of the press. But at the same time, the press must not fail to follow its code of conduct and misuse the freedom. The press plays a very positive and constructive role in a democracy. It keeps the people informed of the national and international news and happenings. It brings to the notice of people the programmes, policies and activities of the government. Similarly, it keeps the Government in the know of the people’s problems, difficulties, hopes and aspirations. Thus the press plays a dual role. It serves as a bridge between the Government on the one hand and the people on the other. Of course, the role of the press cannot be minimized even in a dictatorship, because a dictator also needs the press for reflecting his ideology and policies. A dictator uses the press to prop up his image by highlighting his achievements. But in this case the press gives very little feedback to the dictator. Another crucial difference between the press in a democracy and the press in a dictatorship is that while the press in a democracy is free, frank and fearless, the press in a dictatorship is subservient to the whims and fancies of the dictator. It does not enjoy freedom of expression. ...
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...Freedom of the Press Research Paper Kristine Najar Columbia Southern University Freedom of the press is the right to publish newspapers, magazines, and other printed matter without governmental restriction and subject only to the laws of libel, obscenity, sedition, etc. (Dictionary.com, 2013). Freedom of the press gives the right to circulate opinions in print or on broadcasted radio and television, without censorship by the government. Americans enjoy freedom of the press under the First Amendment to the Constitution. Though we have this right as Americans, we should not abuse it. This paper is an analysis of the problem that we face in our current society in America. I will discuss the history of Freedom of the Press, along with the abuse that we face today from politics to social media. In the United States we pride ourselves on the rights we have. We are the freest country in the world, but with that comes a huge responsibility. Many Americans abuse the free rights others worked so hard to accomplish. Freedom of the Press is just one of those hard-earned rights. Back in the early 18th century, there was a time when newspapers just printed material that was similar to books, pamphlets, and posters. Most of the information in the newspaper from the colonies was reprints of other publications, stories of local interest, literature, advertisements, and opinions (Illinois Press Association Guide to First Amendment and Illinois Access Laws, 1995) Then, the Stamp Act of 1756...
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...Since the establishment of the freedom of the press many positive influences has taken place in our society today. Policies and rules have come from the media shedding light on issues of sexual harassment in the work place and equal opportunities. However, today the media has also taken advantage of the freedom of press amendment and gone beyond its intended usage of protecting the publishing of useful information without repercussion. The effects of the consistence repeat of highly sensitive reports being broadcast has effected how people interact among each other, how people resolve conflict, and racism within the work place. Therefore, my thesis for this paper is that the recent trend of reporting sensitive topics by the world of multimedia does have a negative impact in the work environment and on society. Therefore, the purpose of my paper is to show the negative impact of the press since the incorporation of the freedom of press amendment on the working world by providing factual of negative incidences that have been made famous because of the media. First, in accordance to Annenberg classroom,“Freedom of Speech and of the Press: The First Amendment allows citizens to express and to be exposed to a wide range of opinions and views. It was intended to ensure a free exchange of ideas even if the ideas are unpopular” (Annenbergclassroom,2014). Freedom of press applies to all printed and broadcast material, which includes books, newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, films...
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...Allison Ash Mrs. Morris CWI March 26th Freedom Of Press Freedom of press is the right to publish newspapers, magazines, and other printed matter without governmental restriction and subject only to the laws of libel, obscenity, sedition, etc. Freedom of press is what helps us know what’s going on around the world. Freedom of press tells us also what is going on outside of our country and what is going on to places we have never been to, or heard about. Bolivia does not allow freedom of press because people’s opinions and thoughts don’t seem to be as valued as they should. The reporter’s rights could cause them to be in prison for up to five years. Not only are their rights taken away but their records to find a job and all that they must need to live. All because of an opinion and them expressing it to others. This world report talks mainly about the issue of Freedom of expression and how in October 2010 that all media that includes “endorsement or publishing or discriminatory ideas” reporters can be fined and their licenses can be taken away and that means that they are out of a job. If journalists “spread ideas based on racial superiority or hatred” they could face prison for about five years. In one instance in the Página Siete and El Diario newspapers there was a criminal complaint from the government that stated there was an anti-racism law against the Fides News Agency that objected the coverage of a speech by Morales about food shortages. What was stated...
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...PRESS FREEDOM: PRESSED OR OPPRESSED? By Dorothy Teoh A few weeks ago, I was sitting next to a developer at a dinner, and the topic of our conversation came round to press freedom. He asserted, “The country should have a free press. It would act as a check and balance on the three pillars of government: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.” As a journalist, I couldn’t agree more. The role of the press as the ‘fourth estate’ was a concept introduced to me as a young journalism student at one of the local universities. But when I started work as a reporter, I learned that there is a big divide between theory and practice. And over the years and now as an editor, I’ve seen how far short we’ve fallen of that ideal and of our lofty calling. A free press that acts as a check and balance on both individuals and institutions— government, the legislature, the judiciary, business, the civil service, the police force, NGOs and so on—plays a crucial role in building a just and democratic society. By calling for transparency and accountability, the press reinforces good governance and helps to ensure that there is no place for corruption and abuse. It is no accident that the 10 least corrupt countries (Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, Iceland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada and Norway) in Transparency International’s recently released rankings enjoy high standards of living. And except for Singapore (which incidentally makes for an interesting case...
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...Therefore, freedom is not absolute. In the West where personal freedom is held in the highest esteem, there are still definable limits. Freedom of speech, in the words of an American jurist, does not include the freedom to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theatre, unless of course there is a fire. America has enshrined in its constitution the Bill of Rights with the specific purpose of protecting the civil liberties of its citizens. Among its provisions are the freedoms of speech, religion, and peaceful assembly, together with the rights of due process. These statutes notwithstanding, they did not protect Japanese Americans from being forcefully relocated and incarcerated during World War II, and more recently, the detention of thousands of Arab-Americans following the 9/11 attacks. Today the injustices perpetrated on those Japanese-Americans are widely acknowledged, but significantly, the Supreme Court decision affirming the legality of that mass detention has yet to be overturned. There will always be limits to freedom; the pertinent question is where those lines are drawn and the role they play in the ordinary lives of the citizens. Limits on human freedom can be viewed likewise. In America there are definite limits but they are more like the moat; the citizens are hardly aware of them. They are not intrusive. Executive powers to establish military tribunals for example, are definite boundaries and gross infringements on the citizens’ freedom. Similarly Canada has its War Powers...
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...STRUCTURE 1. IMPACT: There is clear evidence that the existence of a strong, independent and free press powerfully drives economic and social development and poverty reduction. “A free press is not a luxury. It’s the start of an equal development. The media can expose corruption. tragedies, injustices, famine, … but is has too be Presidente del Banco Mundial, Jim Wolfenson 2. EXAMPLES: No substantial famine has ever occurred in any country with a relatively free press, writes Nobel Prize laureate Amartya Sen. The world-renowned professor of economics argues that the independent media also provide a voice to the neglected and disadvantaged while simultaneously preventing governments from insulating themselves from public criticism. 2. LIMITS: Freedom of speech has to be UNCENSORED, because when you start putting limits or barriers where do you draw the line? When does it become manipulation of power? When you give the ability of putting limits in press you create the risk off putting this power in the hands to censure and manipulate news in their personal/ political interest. A free press is not a luxury. It’s the start of an equal development. The media can expose corruption. They can keep a check on public policy by throwing a spotlight on government action. They let people voice diverse opinions on governance and reform, and help build public consensus to bring about change. Such media help markets work better. They can facilitate trade, transmitting...
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...“When the public’s right to know is threatened, and when the rights of free speech and free press at risk, all of the other liberties we hold dear are endangered.” quoted Christopher Dodd. For many, many years, freedom of the press has been a notably controversial topic to be discussed. Some believe that the public has a right to know, while others waver that journalists should be limited on what they can write about. The real question is, should journalists be allowed the right of freedom of the press or should their writing be able to be censored if the topic is viewed as unacceptable? Although governments might have national security concerns or politicians might prefer to not listen to dissenting viewpoints, the assault on the freedom of...
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...2012 World Press Freedom Day: New Media tools as Change Agents [pic] Submitted by Idris Mabadeje on Fri, 04/05/2012 - 11:41am 0 inShare [pic] [pic]Printer-friendly version Press freedom is a logical extension of man’s inalienable right to freedom of expression. As such, it is a universal phenomenon which is guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), which says, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” This right is equally guaranteed in the constitution of most nations of the world. However, the universal recognition of the right to press freedom, notwithstanding, harassment, torture and even deaths of media workers in the course of carrying out their constitutionally recognized responsibilities, have remained. The recent attacks on the offices of Daily Sun, The Moment and Thisday newspapers, in Abuja and Kaduna readily come to mind. It is the growing trend of attacks on journalists and other media workers that gave rise to the Windhoek Declaration on May 3, 1991. The conference emphasized that press freedom should be understood as necessitating pluralism and independence of the mass media. Following on the declaration and the recommendation, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day. The day serves as occasion to inform...
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...Raymond Media 1 section 4520 Review Questions for Chapter on Legal Controls and Freedom of Expressions 9/28/15 raymond_adrianus@student.smc.edu Explain the various models of the news media that exist under different political systems? 1. The following are the various models of the news media that exist under different political systems: Authoritarian model - a model for journalism and speech that do not tolerate criticism of government or public dissent; it holds that the general public needs guidance from an elite and educated ruling class. Today, this model operates in developing countries throughout Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Communism model - a model for journalism and speech that places control in the hands of an enlightened government, which speaks for ordinary citizens and workers in order to serve the common goals of the state. There are still a few countries using this model, including Myanmar, China, Cuba, and North Korea. Social Responsibility model - a model for journalism and speech, influenced by the libertarian model, that encourages the free flow of information to citizens so they can make wise decisions regarding political and social issues. This model characterizes the ideals of mainstream journalism in the United States. A social responsible press is usually privately owned. In this model, media function as a Fourth Estate - the notion that the press operates as an unofficial branch of government, monitoring the legislative, judicial...
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...Freedom and What It Means To Me Freedom, like most words, is defined in different ways by different people. The definitions can change over generations. Even different regions of the world could have an alternate idea of what freedom means to them. Most people define freedom as being able to do what you want, when you want. Some find this definition to be very generic, and not truly touch on what freedom really means. Freedom goes deeper than being able to do, say, or act in any manner at any given time or place. According to Oxford Dictionary freedom means “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint”. (Oxford Dictionaries) While this is true, someone can consider themselves free but still be contained by a higher power, and be obligated to obey the laws of human nature. Freedom is the power to do, say, and feel how you want as long as it doesn’t hinder someone else’s freedom. Most people believe that freedom is a right, but as we see in communist countries like North Korea and China, even your thoughts are controlled by the government. Some people believe that our freedoms are restricted by laws and other legal documents that on the down low affect our freedoms, but play it off like safety concerns. For instance if someone doesn’t like seat belts, they could argue that they are uncomfortable. They could add that they restrict movements when they are driving. Would they have the freedom to not wear a seatbelt? The answer is...
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...CODE OF ETHICS FOR NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS PREAMBLE Journalism entails a high degree of public trust. To earn and maintain this trust, it is morally imperative for every journalist and every news medium to observe the highest professional and ethical standards. In the exercise of these duties, a journalist should always have a healthy regard for the public interest. Truth is the cornerstone of journalism and every journalist should strive diligently to ascertain the truth of every event. Conscious of the responsibilities and duties of journalists as purveyors of information, we, Nigerian journalist, give to ourselves this Code of Ethics. It is the duty of every journalist to observe its provisions. l. EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE Decisions concerning the content of news should be the responsibility of a professional journalist. 2. ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS i. The public has a right to know. Factual, accurate balance and fair reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism and the basis of earning public trust and confidence. ii. A journalist should refrain from publishing inaccurate and misleading information. Where such information has been inadvertently published, prompt correction should be made. A journalist must hold the right of reply as a cardinal rule of practice. iii. In the course of his duties a journalist should strive to separate facts from conjecture and comment. 3. PRIVACY ...
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