Vol. 1, Issue 8, Part D (2015)

Abstract
The Constitution of India does not specifically mention the freedom of press. Freedom of press is implied from the Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution. However this right is subject to restrictions under sub-clause (2), whereby this freedom can be restricted for reasons of "sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, preserving decency, preserving morality, in relation to contempt, court, defamation, or incitement to an offense". Before Independence, there was no constitutional or statutory provision to protect the freedom of press. As observed by the Privy Council the freedom of the journalist is an ordinary part of the freedom of the subject and to whatever length, the subject in general may go, so also may the journalist, but apart from statute his privilege is no other and no higher. The range of his assertions, his criticisms or his comments is as wide as and no wider than that of any other subject. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution ensures to all its citizens the liberty of expression. Freedom of the press has been included as part of freedom of speech and expression under the Article 19 of the UDHR. The heart of the Article 19 says that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. In view of the above, this paper is a critical analysis of the Indian concept of Freedom of Press and how it is related to the concept of expression in Constitution of India. The judicial view in this context has also been analysed.