Legal Definitions - liberty of the press

The liberty of the press, also known as freedom of the press, is the right to print and publish materials without interference from the government. This right is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. It means that people can express their opinions and share information without fear of censorship or punishment. While the press clause specifically mentions freedom of the press, most of the protections that the press receives are the same as those enjoyed by everyone under the speech clause. This means that the press is protected from government censorship, libel judgments, and prior restraints because the First Amendment protects all of us from those threats.