By Emma Moore
Press rights have been at the forefront of our society for centuries now and are something that are and will continue to be important. The article provided to us covers the many areas of press rights and what there is to know to make an informed opinion on the issue.
The different areas of privilege and protection are shared to begin the reading and introduce the concept. One area that I found to be interesting was the section about fair comment and criticism. This section explains how writers have the right to criticize in their published pieces. This principle allows the privilege to disapprove of a performer, politician, and public interest without reprimand after the piece is published or printed. I found this to be interesting because often in our society when writers put out things people disagree with, some are very outspoken about it and make it known they do not agree. With this I think it is good information to have that this I a right given to the writers and it is to their discretion to share these things.
Another section in the reading that I found to be interesting was the insert about how libel laws are in fact different for famous and influential people. This insert discusses how, “public figures and public officials must prove that publications acted with actual malice.” All of this to say the press must be proven to have deliberately printed lies or disregard the truth. The idea that people in these higher societal positions are also held to a different standard, even when considering press rights, is intriguing to me.
“When you make a statement that might be considered damaging, you must not only believe it or even know it, but you must be able to prove it.”
David Simon – Law & Ethics
I also found it appealing to read about what writers “can’t” or better shouldn’t say in a piece. From something more serious like using vulgar language to just having a simple as having a conflict of interest in the piece. While none of these are things to be taken lightly, I find it interesting to read about these situations in which someone can get a story pulled because they have a connection to someone within the story.
The press is an extremely important part in us getting our information on other places in the world as well as the places we live. Even though press has continuously grown and evolved since the time the press rights were made, they continue to hold true and be strongly applicable to press and media today. From areas of being able to report on government proceedings without being sued to being able to report with your own opinions without a libel suit, it is all extremely important and continuously at the face of our communities.
Based on readings from: Law&Ethics
Emma Moore 