The government might cure the ills of freedom of the press, but only at the risk of killing the freedom. We look principally to the press and the people to remedy the ills which have concerned us.

The power of modern press is increasing everyday as new instruments become available. These instruments can spread lies faster and farther than our forefathers dreamed.

Government and freedom of the press:

Any interference on the part of the government to make sure the press is responsible will lead to endangering freedom of the press.

Government must set limits on its interference to suppress the voices of the press or to manipulate the data on which public judgment is formed.

Freedom of expression is a moral right. It's a moral right because it has an aspect of duty about it; for instance, if someone has an idea, he ought to express it. He owes it to his conscience and the common good. The right of free expression does include the right to be in error. Debate wouldn't have existed if there weren't people who presented wrong ideas in belief that they were right. What the moral right does not cover is the right to be deliberately in error. The commission of the freedom of the press was very keen to protect these rights.

That doesn't mean that every citizen has a moral or legal right to own and publish a newspaper. But it means than any idea shall have its chance even if it is not shared by those who own or manage the press.

If a journalist loses his credibility, he maintains his legal right to publish, but not his moral right. He can continue publishing his work, but people will know he's lying. In the absence of accepted moral duties there are no moral rights. The problem is scandals in media are very difficult to get rid of.

Civilized societies are working systems of ideas: They live by the consumption of ideas. Therefore, a society must guarantee freedom of expression and that all obstacles to the flow of ideas shall be removed. It's easier for people to discourage an innovator than meet his arguments. Such ideas may include elements of truth; therefore, they need special protection.

The Principles in the present situation:

Freedom of the press isn't a fixed value. It isn't the same in every society and all times.

Prerequisites of the freedom of the press:

1. The income per capita: It has to be reasonable, because poverty and freedom co- exist in a society. Freedom of expression is luxury.
2. Wilbert Sham and Nixon gave other requirements such as:
3. Education: With higher rate of literacy, freedom of expression prospers.
4. Multi- party system: There has to be different political parties and diverse ideas.
5. Rate of social change: Freedom of expression and fast social change don't exist together because the rate of social changes has economic consequences. Social change means introducing new attitudes and ideas – ones that are foreign to the society - . Such as: Family Planning, Women's freedom, respecting the elderly.

Difference between our societies and the western ones:

In our societies, disagreement often turns into hatred. In western societies, debates and discussions don't lead to hard feelings and negative attitudes.

The commission stated that once a reporter decides to publish a piece of news or cover an event, he has made a subjective decision.

The commission also said that due to the non –existence of the free market of expression, we need to enable the audience to participate in the media. E.g.: letters to the editor and telephone- based TV shows.

We are asking the people who work in media to be responsible in order to gain credibility and to respect the codes of ethics. They should cover all viewpoints and mention those who are for and against a particular case.

Freedom of the press: It's from interference of powerful groups/ government and for serving the people.

• Written by sajeetharan.
• In category TV & Radio.
• 14 years ago.

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