I.

Introduction

Press, Freedom of the, immunity of the communications media—including newspapers, books, periodicals, radio, and television—from government control or censorship. The relationship between freedom of speech and freedom of the press is an ambiguous one. The media forms a powerful institution that can act as a necessary instrument of communication. To the extent that the media is independent of government it can act as a powerful critic of government. The media can therefore support both personal autonomy and democracy. On the other hand, the media has been increasingly challenged as an institution that frequently abuses its power, invading people's privacy and undermining personal freedom: there is no independent right to privacy in England or Scotland. Furthermore, where the media is in the hands of a monopoly, democratic diversity may also be undermined.