Freedom of Expression

MODELS OF PRESS FREEDOM

• Authoritarian model - press is controlled by an elite and educated ruling class.

  EX. Bolivia, Senegal, Indonesia, Russia

• Communist or state model - press control rests in the lap of government.

  EX: China, Cuba, Iran, Lybia and North Korea

• Libertarian model - no restrictions are placed on the mass media or on individual speech.

  EX. No countries completely adopt this model, but some alternative media sources follow libertarian ideals.

• Social Responsibility model - privately owned, the press functions as a "fourth estate", an unofficial branch of government that monitors the legislative, judicial, and executive branches for abuses of power.

  EX. Most countries is Europe and the United States

   

RESTRICTIONS ON EXPRESSION

1. Copyright - legally protects the rights of authors and producers to their published or unpublished works.

2. Libel - defamation of character in written or broadcast expression.

3. The Right to Privacy - protects an individual's peace of mind and personal feelings, and right to be left alone.

a. intrusion
b. publication of private matters
c. unauthorized appropriation of a person's name or image for advertising or other commercial benefit

4. Obscenity - criminal offense.