freedom of the press
noun phrase
: the right of newspapers, magazines, etc., to report news without being controlled by the government
Legal Definition
freedom of the press
: the right to publish and disseminate information, thoughts, and opinions without restraint or censorship as guaranteed under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Note: The First Amendment's guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of the press are closely intertwined, and many cases relating to freedom of the press are couched in terms of the freedom of speech.