What restrictions should there be, if any, on the freedom of the press in a modern, civilised society?.
The freedom of the press is by no means a matter of course. Our past has been dominated by forms of restrictions, such as the system of censorship in Ancient Greece described by Plato in the Republic . And it was not until the beginning of the 18th century that a decline of censorship in western countries could finally be felt. Restrictions of the press were now considered a relic of an unenlightened and repressive age. .
A major step in the response to censorship problems can be seen in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, that provides: .
"Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press -.
So is there any need at all, for restricting the freedom of the press in a modern and civilised society?.
After Fox's Libel Act in 1792, all efforts to restrain the freedom of the press in Britain have centred on questions of libel, obscenity, or national security. But can restrictions of that freedom in the British society or any other modern and civilised society, still be founded on such arguments?.
Concerning the idea of obscenity our attitude has changed throughout the centuries and we have become more liberal. The page 3 girl is neither being considered obscene nor worthy of any restrictions.
But is that also the case in the matter of libel and national security?.
The matter of libel is closely connected to the right of privacy. By the people affected, mostly stars, the harassment begins with the paparazzi and ends with slanderous articles in the yellow press. We can easily understand Madonna's want for more privacy, and her right of privacy should be respected. And that should also be the case for the two released teenage murderers of little Jamie .
