Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through mediums including various electronic media and published materials. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections. With respect to governmental information, any government may distinguish which materials are public or protected from disclosure to the public based on classification of information as sensitive, classified or secret and being otherwise protected from disclosure due to relevance of the information to protecting the national interest. Many governments are also subject to sunshine laws or freedom of information legislation which are both used to define the extent of national interest. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers"
This philosophy is usually accompanied by legislation ensuring various degrees of freedom of scientific research (known as scientific freedom), publishing, press and printing the depth to which these laws are entrenched in a country 's legal system can go as far down as its constitution. The concept of freedom of speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press, thereby giving equal treatment to spoken and published expression. Beyond legal definitions, several non-governmental organizations use other criteria to judge the level of press freedom around the world. Some of those organizations include the following:
Reporters Without Borders
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Freedom House
Many of the traditional means of delivering information are being slowly superseded by the increasing pace of modern technological advance. Almost
Bibliography: Lincoln University . (2009, November). Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press. Retrieved December 2, 2013, from Lincoln University: http://www.lincoln.edu/criminaljustice/hr/Speech.htm Wickpedia, the free Encyclopedia. (2013, November 19). Freedom of the Pres. Retrieved December 2, 2013, from Wickpedia, The Free Encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_press