1. Freedom of the Press Origin and importance

2. How did begin? When press surfaced on the horizon- very little knowledge of objectives/functions Press developed, expanded and slowly started taking on several functions Functions of the press- to inform, entertain, watchdog, empower… In order to carry out these functions- needed some rights

3. Early pioneers Milton spoke about need for freedom of expression- Areopagatica Speech to Parliament against the licensing act Instead of state controlling writing- free marketplace of ideas and self-regulating mechanism Basis for a libertarian press- absolute freedom The British Parliament allowed the licensing act to lapse in 1692

4. American context Framers of the constitution- keeping the bad experience of the British rule and restrictions on the press Included special rights for the press- 1 st Amendment to the constitution (1791) The Congress shall not make any laws restricting the freedom of the press… Society has safeguarded the right to expression ruthlessly

5. Indian context Indian Constitution- no special reference to freedom of the press General provision- Art 19(1)(a) guarantees all freedom of speech and expression Various court decisions have added to the special rights of the press The press has the right to : print and publish without any restrictions, both news and views; to criticize; to circulate anywhere in India; to print any number of pages; access public information

6. Reasonable restrictions Art 19(2)- reasonable restrictions in the interest of society: security and sovereignty, friendly relations, decency and morality, contempt of court… Art 19(6)- business matters to control monopoly and unfair trade restrictions All general laws apply to the press, but there cannot be any special laws against the press