The Limits of Press Freedom in the USA
Abstract
Right to information regarding the public is one of the fundamental principles of the American society. The First Amendment to the Bill of Rights of 1791 protects the freedom of the press. Congress shall make no law restricting the freedom either of speech or of the press. Whereas the United States attempts to create a structural framework for the flow of information in accordance with democratic principles, meanwhile the increasing assertion of freedom of expression is historically becoming widespread, a growing number of problems emerge. It is clear from the decisions of the Supreme Court that freedom of expression in the United States is restricted by certain laws and by the courts. Legislators and judges are humans, hence influenced by the public perception, political climate and sentiment surrounding their decisions. Albeit once a model for the free press, the country now ranks the 57th among 180 countries as of the latest press freedom index compiled by the international journalists' organisation (Reporters sans frontières/Reporters Without Borders).
This study attempts to trace the exercise of freedom of expression in the United States by examining changes in the value systems of the legislators and legal practitioners across the eras.
References
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Rechtssprechung
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„Ich bin kein Spion, Sondern Journalist!” Human Rights Watch über Medienkontrolle in den USA. IPG, 04 September 2014. https://tinyurl.com/2zpz573z
Bericht über den Alien Registration Act bei www.spartacus-educational.com
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