Obscenity in Print Media: Beyond the Bounds of Freedom of Speech and Expression

Abstract

The freedom of the press safeguards the ability to gather and disseminate information or viewpoints without interference from the government or fear of repercussions. When the government reviews books and films and forbids the use of anything it deems objectionable, this is known as censorship. All forms of printed and broadcast media, such as books, newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, movies, radio shows, and television shows, are covered under the freedom of the press. There is a lot of freedom granted to the Press. The development of a robust independent press, sometimes referred to as “the fourth branch” of the government, was seen as depending on this independence. A diverse range of viewpoints and information on issues of public concern can be obtained by citizens through an independent press. But occasionally, other rights like the right to a fair trial for a defendant or the right to privacy for a citizen collide with press freedom. Concern over excessively aggressive journalism, which includes tales about people’s sexual life and photos of people in private sittings, has grown in recent years.