Freedom of the press

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/freedom-of-the-press

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the legal framework?Often protected by constitutional law and specific legislation, implying minimal government censorship
2. What is the international standard?Recognized in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
3. Why is a free press important for democracy?A free press watches the government and tells people when something is wrong or unfair. This helps everyone make better choices and keeps leaders honest.
4. How did Sweden help make press freedom a law?Sweden made a law in 1766 that said people could print and read news freely. This idea inspired other countries to protect press freedom too.

Prior Restraint: Governmental prohibition of speech or publication before it occurs, generally disfavored in free societies.
Defamation (Libel/Slander): False statements that harm an individual's reputation, subject to legal penalties.
Freedom of Information Legislation: Laws granting the public the right to access government records and information.
Fourth Estate: A term referring to the press as a vital, independent branch of society that monitors government and power.