Freedom of the press

Freedom of the press is the right of news media to publish information and opinions without government censorship or undue interference. It enables public scrutiny of power while remaining subject to laws such as those against defamation.

Prior restraint: Prior restraint is government action that prevents publication before it occurs. It is the most direct form of interference the right is designed to prevent.
Licensing of the Press Act 1662: An English statute that regulated printing through licensing and press controls. Its expiration in 1695 ended a central system of prior licensing in England.
Censorship: Censorship is the suppression or restriction of expression by authorities or other controlling institutions. It is the clearest opposing condition to a free press.
Watchdog journalism: Watchdog journalism investigates powerful institutions and exposes misconduct or failures. Press freedom gives journalists room to scrutinize government and other centers of power.
Internet censorship: The restriction or suppression of online content by governments, companies, or other authorities. Digital publication extends press-freedom disputes to blocking, filtering, and platform control.
New York Times Co. v. United States: A 1971 U.S. Supreme Court case that rejected the government's attempt to block publication of the Pentagon Papers. The ruling illustrates the strong presumption against prior restraint in U.S. law.
John Milton: An English poet and political writer whose 1644 pamphlet argued against prepublication licensing. Areopagitica became a lasting argument against licensing the press.
State media: State media are outlets owned, funded, or directly controlled by a government. Government control can compromise editorial independence even without an explicit ban on publication.
Investigative journalism: Investigative journalism uses sustained research to uncover facts that powerful actors seek to conceal. Its work often depends on publishing information that authorities would prefer to keep hidden.
Platform governance: The rules and enforcement systems through which digital platforms moderate content and manage users. Private platforms can limit news distribution without acting as government censors.

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