"Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, elegant in its simplicity, enshrines one of the most basic beliefs of the United States: the importance of the press in nurturing democratic government by allowing a forum for free speech. In the United States and throughout much of the world, a free press is recognized as an essential element of democracy, a means to empower the citizenry and to ensure governments remain accountable to the governed.

But a free press cannot be truly effective without efficient means of delivering the news. From the earliest printing press to the satellite transmissions of the 21st century, advances in technology have enhanced the power of the press by creating an environment in which information moves more quickly and to more places than ever before. As media have evolved, each successive technical innovation allows journalists to present the news of the world more clearly, more quickly and more comprehensively.