Meaning of press freedom (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Freedom of the press:

As press freedom is called the right of the media to investigate and report without any limitations or constraints, such as censorship, harassment or harassment.

In this sense, press freedom is a constitutional guarantee, based on freedom of expression, typical of societies with democratic political systems of full liberties.

As such, press freedom allows citizens to organize and create media independent from government power, in which they have the right to express themselves freely and without censorship.

One of the most direct mechanisms to threaten press freedom is through prior censorship. Prior censorship consists of prohibiting the dissemination of certain content by decision of official censors, that is, officials appointed by the State to exercise control over the nature of the content that the media disseminates to the public.

The censors also can be indirect when it pressure, harassment, attacks or threats of closure means. Hence, according to the American Convention on Human Rights (CADH), regardless of whether the legal and political system of a country does not have specific provisions aimed at diminishing or attacking press freedom, it can be considered that it has been violated if they are employed Coercive indirect means, such as the control of the supply of paper (in the case of newspapers), of radio frequencies, or of goods or devices used in the dissemination of information, thus preventing the free dissemination of ideas and opinions.

The free press is essential in democratic systems, it allows citizens to form opinions and criteria regarding the reality in which they live. For this reason, the independent media is one of the main targets of undemocratic political systems.

If you wish, you can also consult Freedom of expression.