Freedom of the press

ABSTRACT

In this paper I argue for the following claims. Firstly, freedom of the press (media) is justified in part because of its legitimate role as the provider of a forum for the members of the public (including individuals, groups and organisations such as government) to communicate to the public at large. Secondly, the freedom of the press is justified in part because of its legitimate role as an investigator and communicator of matters that the public has a right to know of. Thirdly, the press does not have a fundamental right to exist as an autonomous communicator. This does not exclude the possibility of pragmatic reasons for having a press which is in fact an autonomous communicator.