The freedom of the press is different from other liberties of the people in that it is both individual and institutional.
It applies not just to a single person's right to publish ideas, but also to the right of print and broadcast media to express political views and to cover and publish news. A free press is, therefore, one of the foundations of a democratic society.
In developed countries, freedom of the press implies that all people should have the right to express themselves in writing or in any other way of expression of a personal opinion or creativity. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and without information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers"
However, it has been frequently challenged, especially in India, that the freedom of the Press is in danger because the ownership of the newspaper industry is in the predominance of some newspaper groups and chains. It is also suggested that the editors and journalists do not have adequate freedom of collecting facts and offering opinions as they are under the pressure of the capitalist owners. Many newspapers are dependent large on revenue from advertisements, and the advertising interests can not but influence the presentation of news and comments.
Without this whole structure of ownership and control in the newspaper industry, and the method of the economic management of the Press, is changed, it is there recommended, the Press can not be free.
What should never be overlooked when strictly thinking of the Press in the Indian context is that only a free press can help develop citizens who are well informed of current events and about the problems facing the nation.
