Government Control of News: A Constitutional Challenge

Because of the overwhelming changes in media within the past twenty years, First Amendment values are more vital than ever to this country's freedom. This thorough study brings to the forefront the reasons that government regulation of news content violates the public interest and the fundamental principles of the First Amendment. A recent FCC decision may even threaten the freedom of news on the Internet.

The U.S. State Department urged at World Press Freedom Day in 2011 that journalists should not be the only ones standing for press freedom. "Each one of us who recognize the value of an informed citizenry must also stand up for this fundamental right."*

*www.misa.org/mediarelease/pressfreedom.html

Corydon B. Dunham enjoyed a lengthy career working on television free press issues as a First Amendment lawyer and executive vice president for a television network in charge of its legal matters, relations with the government, and network broadcast standards.