History
Since the beginning of time, even before there was a press, the Roman Catholic Church has restricted material that was offensive. Offensive material was either banned or burned. Back in the 1600s, printers had to have a license from the government or a religious group. In 1644, John Milton, an English poet, wrote an essay called Areopagitica. The essay was the first argument for the freedom of press. The essay criticized the fact that printers needed a license. This was so important that the United Kingdom and a couple other countries, they ended the licensing system. This is a perfect example of the freedom of press: a citizen voicing their opinion, and the government accepting it, using it to make changes. This lead to a loose interpretation of the freedom of press. The people could now voice their opinion on paper.
By the 1800s, many countries had some sort of freedom of press. However, the freedom of press in America did lead to some abuses. For example, some newspapers were editing false material to attract readers. This was nicknamed "Yellow Pages". Some wanted the press to be regulated by the government, but the government stated that it would be unconstitutional.
By the 1900s, the U.S. government became responsible with the press. The journalists and media specialists were very careful, checking facts and reporting the news carefully. However, while America was learning to become responsible with the press, some countries like Germany and Italy destroyed the press during World War Two, and the government used it for their own use. Also, during the 1900s, dictatorships censored the press heavily.
When America made their freedom of press official, a man named Carl Ackerman wanted the U.S. citizens to always have the freedom of press. He wanted them to never lose that valuable right. To do this he had to teach them proper way to say things in public media without being bias, scandalous, etc. If things written were bias, scandalous, etc, then punishment toward the writer(s) would be harsh. For stating your opinion about a public figure in the media, punishment could include going to jail.
By the 1900s, the U.S. government became responsible with the press. The journalists and media specialists were very careful, checking facts and reporting the news carefully. However, while America was learning to become responsible with the press, some countries like Germany and Italy destroyed the press during World War Two, and the government used it for their own use. Also, during the 1900s, dictatorships censored the press heavily.
When America made their freedom of press official, a man named Carl Ackerman wanted the U.S. citizens to always have the freedom of press. He wanted them to never lose that valuable right. To do this he had to teach them proper way to say things in public media without being bias, scandalous, etc. If things written were bias, scandalous, etc, then punishment toward the writer(s) would be harsh. For stating your opinion about a public figure in the media, punishment could include going to jail.