View source for Freedom of the press

[[File:Reporters Without Borders 2007 Press Freedom Rankings Map.PNG|thumb|right|333px|Freedom of the press around the world according to [[Reporters Without Borders]]]]

'''Freedom of the press''' is a promise by a [[government]] not to punish [[journalist]]s (and other people who report the [[news]]) for doing their job without [[censorship]]. It is an idea like [[freedom of speech]]: it lets people express their opinions or beliefs. Many countries have laws or [[constitutional amendment]]s protecting freedom of the press. The word "press" in the phrase comes from the [[printing press]].

== Restrictions ==
Like with freedom of speech, freedom of the press does not protect everything that a journalist writes. A journalist can be [[lawsuit|sued]] for [[libel]], which is publishing false and damaging claims about a person. Publishing [[copyright]]ed material is not legal in many countries. Writing about [[state secret]]s, like military plans, weapon designs, or other [[classified information]] is almost always illegal.
== Related pages ==
* [[Internet censorship]]
{{Journalism}}


{{stub}}

[[Category:Journalism]]
[[Category:Freedom]]