Freedom of Press and Information

During today's lecture in my media law class, we discussed the issue of freedom of press and freedom of information. Some countries have strict restriction and limitations on their media freedom based on economic, religious, or cultural grounds.

We compared these restrictions and limitations to the United States because they are the leading advocate for freedom and press. They have this right because of their Bill of Rights and the First Amendment. The First Amendment guarantees the right of freedom of speech which includes freedom of thoughts, belief, opinions, expression, assembly. It also ensures the freedom of press and other media communications.

For example, the Supreme Court case involving the Westboro Baptist Church and the parent of an American solider. The Westboro Baptist Church is known for their extreme ideologies and their hatred against homosexual people. They believe God hates homosexuality and that when evil happens God is the one to do it. They believe that God is punishing the military for their tolerance for homosexuality. The church group has anti-gay protest and protest funerals for soldiers. 

The church was brought in front of the Supreme Court by a grieving father who buried his son, an American soldier, while the church protested his funeral. The Court ruled in favor of the church because of the First Amendment and protections against free speech, debate on public issues, and free expression. “Westboro’s funeral picketing is certainly hurtful and its contribution to public discourse may be negligible,” Chief Justice Roberts concluded. “But Westboro addressed matters of public import on public property, in a peaceful manner, in full compliance with the guidance of local officials.” The church stays on public streets, protest quietly and without violence, therefore people say they have a right to be there just like anybody else. 

On the other hand, Australia has no equivalent to the First Amendment. In Australia freedom of speech is guaranteed through legislations and journalist can get in trouble with the law if they publish anything that goes against them. The Freedom of press means that people have the right to be informed by the press on matters of public interests so they can exercise their rights as citizens. Laws and regulations restrict or inhibit the right press to freely to gather or distribute information. For expample, a suppression order which instructs the media what they can report of by the court during a trial. Also, Australia has Freedom of Information which gives the member of the public rights to access official documents of the governments and its agencies. Journalist use Freedom of Information rather than exposing a confidential source or themselves to disobedience contempt.