Freedom of press is intertwined with the quality of education. When the education system and the disseminated content are controlled by the state, there are serious repercussions. Whereas the general print and electronic media are used by a broad demography, education is particularly directed to the young. The young impressionable minds of children are most vulnerable to systematic indoctrination. By careful choice and structuring of syllabi at various levels, the state has the power to produce young adults who would toe the party line. This is equivalent to subjecting children to an assembly line of production. Such an event is not only harmful for the exposed children but has a heavy bearing on the future. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow. If their formative minds are thus tamed by the powers of the State, then the future of the nation becomes bleak indeed. An education system that is not free will harm the prospects of the future society.
In conclusion, it is fairly clear that freedom of press has several implications. Beyond the fact of freedom of speech and expression, as well as the claim to a fundamental human right, it affects other domains of life. The quality and content of art and literature depends on it. Likewise, the shape of intellectual public discourse is borne by freedom of press. Even the seemingly abstract and removed world of scientific inquiry cannot flourish under harsh censorship. And most importantly, freedom of press is often linked to freedom in education. With so much at stake, it is essential that civil society does everything it can to protecting this most vital of civil rights.
Reference:
Reports on the Freedom of Press across the Globe, Freedom House, retrieved from <freedomhouse.org> on 15th January 2014.