What does the constitution say about a free press?
Asked by: Cleve Kohler | Last update: February 3, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (29 votes)
The U.S. Constitution protects freedom of the press through the First Amendment, which states, "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press". This means the government generally cannot control what media publishes, censor journalists, or punish them for reporting controversial or critical information, ensuring a free press serves as a watchdog, informs the public, and holds leaders accountable, applying to modern media like digital platforms and bloggers, not just traditional newspapers.
What does the Constitution say about free press?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
What did Jefferson say about freedom of the press?
"our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost." "nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper.
How can freedom of press be violated?
Government restrictions on freedom of the press may include classified information, state secrets, punishment for libel, punishment for violation of copyright, privacy, or judicial orders.
What are the exceptions to the freedom of press?
Categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection by the First Amendment (and therefore may be restricted) include obscenity, fraud, child pornography, speech integral to illegal conduct, speech that incites imminent lawless action, speech that violates intellectual property law, true threats, and commercial ...
Importance of a Free Press | Constitution Corner
Does the 1st Amendment apply to social media?
If a social media account is being used for government business, the First Amendment prohibits blocking followers. So, an account dedicated to a government agency's work cannot block followers. When an individual who works in government posts about their work, whether they may block followers is more complicated.
What is the definition of a free press?
"The Free Press" can refer to the concept of a press free from government control (freedom of the press), a specific U.S. media company known for investigative journalism and commentary (founded by Bari Weiss), or a non-profit advocacy group promoting media justice and public voice. The modern media company focuses on honesty, independence, and in-depth stories, while the advocacy group works to make media more democratic.
At what point does free speech become illegal?
Only that expression that is shown to belong to a few narrow categories of speech is not protected by the First Amendment. The categories of unprotected speech include obscenity, child pornography, defamatory speech, false advertising, true threats, and fighting words.
What is article 20 and 21?
Right not to be driven out of a state. 20. Right to fair trial. 21. Right of prisoner to have necessities of life.
Does freedom of the press have limitations?
Unless restricted by a serious national security concern (which is rare), the news media are free to publish any information or opinion they want.
What did the founding fathers say about a free press?
"Our citizens may be deceived for awhile, and have been deceived; but as long as the presses can be protected, we may trust to them for light." -Thomas Jefferson, 1799. "To preserve the freedom of the human mind... and freedom of the press..." "In every country where man is free to think ..." "...
What is Thomas Jefferson's most famous quote?
Thomas Jefferson's most famous quote is often considered to be from the Declaration of Independence, particularly the preamble's "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," but another well-known quote inscribed on the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is, "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" (from a letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush). Other popular ones include "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock," and "When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred".
What is the most famous quote about freedom?
There isn't one single "most famous" quote, but top contenders often include Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty, or give me death!" for its revolutionary spirit, Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed" for civil rights, and George Orwell's profound observation, "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four," from 1984, highlighting truth and critical thought. Other popular choices emphasize personal responsibility or the essence of liberty, like Jean-Paul Sartre's "Man is condemned to be free" or Nelson Mandela's "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world," often linked to liberation.
What is the 27th Amendment in the Constitution?
Amendment Twenty-seven to the Constitution was ratified on May 7, 1992. It forbids any changes to the salary of Congress members from taking effect until the next election concludes.
Is a free press important for democracy?
Freedom of Press is essential to self-government in a democracy, as a free press is considered the “fourth branch of government,” which keeps the public informed and provides oversight and a “check” on federal and state/local government power.
What does the 3rd Amendment protect?
Amendment Three to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It forbids the housing of any military service member in private homes without the consent of the owner.
What is the difference between Article 20 and 22?
While Article 20 deals with protection in respect of conviction for offences, Article 22 pertains to protection against arrest and detention in certain cases. Both are in Part III of the Constitution that deals with fundamental rights.
What is the Article 142?
Article 142 is a unique provision. It grants the Supreme Court the power to pass any order necessary to secure complete justice. Its draft, Article 118, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly without any debate.
What is the Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Article 26
Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
What are the 5 limits to freedom of speech?
Five key limits to freedom of speech include incitement to violence, true threats, defamation, obscenity/child pornography, and speech integral to criminal conduct, all of which are generally unprotected because they cause direct harm, incite immediate illegal acts, or involve other serious offenses like fraud or perjury, despite free speech protecting even offensive or unpopular ideas.
What free speech is not protected?
The following speech may not be protected: Speech that is intended and likely to provoke imminent unlawful action (“incitement”). Statements where the speaker means to communicate a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals (“true threats”).
What are the two exceptions to freedom of speech?
Two major categories of speech not protected by freedom of speech are incitement to imminent lawless action (speech intended to cause immediate illegal acts) and true threats (serious expressions of intent to commit violence), with other key exceptions including defamation, obscenity, fraud, and child pornography.
Is free press a law?
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says: “Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”
What is a famous quote about the free press?
“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” “The liberty of the press is essential to the security of the state.” “If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.”
What does the U.S. Constitution say about freedom of the press?
First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.