The American Pattern of Freedom of the Press: A Model to Follow?

By Santiago Sanchez Gonzalez

A paper by Santiago Sanchez Gonzalez, fall 1991 fellow, takes a close look at press freedom as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Gonzalez argues that freedom of the press is as much about freedom to as about freedom from, and as much about fostering the conditions for democratic deliberation as about the libertarian goal of keeping the government away from the private press. In practice, however, these goals often clash. Gonzalez demonstrates that a sensitive reading of the American constitutional experience shows that there are some aspects to be questioned just as there are many to be admired.

Download the paper (PDF).