freedom of the press isn't a popular idea.

[Thorne]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7134918.stm

This is just completely beyond my comprehension skills. My personal reaction is along the lines of, what deranged lunatic could possibly be against freedom of the press? And yet it's quite a common opinion internationally. Is this terrifying or am I over reacting?

Although I am also a firm believer in freedom of the press, I believe that there should be some limits to that freedom. After all, freedom of speech doesn't give one the right to shout "FIRE" in a crowded theater. The press must also have some limits.

In the past those limits were pretty much dealt with through self control. The press conspired with FDR's people to minimize the impact of his disability. Without that there is little doubt he would have never been elected president. In the early 60's the press had an unwritten rule about ignoring Kennedy's romantic assignations. There are other examples.

I remember during the first Gulf War when General Schwartzkopf held press conferences, he repeatedly had to remind the press that he would not answer questions regarding troop deployments and tactics. Yet they constantly tried to get hold of that information and report it. This could have had devastating results for the troops there.

Sometimes you have to put limits on what you report. If the press doesn't do that themselves than the government will do it for them. I'd much prefer to see the former.