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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After a federal jury in the District of Columbia ruled in favor of Democracy Partners, O’Keefe and Maass appealed, arguing the damages violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of the press. Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 The United States is uniquely committed to freedom of the press, and has been since our founding. Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 The Founding Fathers didn't enshrine freedom of the press in the First Amendment so reporters could distribute corporate announcements a few minutes early or launder government messaging from powerful officials. Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 About freedom of the press, and the journalists who protect the fourth estate, often at great cost. Joe Otterson, Variety, 23 July 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 2 Sep. 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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