freedom of the press

noun phrase

: the right of newspapers, magazines, etc., to report news without being controlled by the government

Examples of freedom of the press in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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On freedom of opinion, on freedom of the press, on freedom of satire, on jesters’ freedom. ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026 The gendarmerie gave way to an ordinary constabulary force, and partial freedom of the press was granted. Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026 Fonda has long been committed to political causes and freedom of the press. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026 Alamy; Getty Images; Hulton Archive Streisand praised Redford’s advocacy for freedom of the press, fostering rising artistic voices at his Sundance Institute in Utah and protecting the natural environment. Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for freedom of the press

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Cite this Entry

“Freedom of the press.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freedom%20of%20the%20press. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

Legal Definition

freedom of the press

: the right to publish and disseminate information, thoughts, and opinions without restraint or censorship as guaranteed under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Note: The First Amendment's guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of the press are closely intertwined, and many cases relating to freedom of the press are couched in terms of the freedom of speech.

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