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Article 72 of Paraguay’s [[Probable year:: 1967]] Constitution first established protections on press freedom: “Freedom of expression and of information without prior Censorship are inviolable, and no law shall be enacted that limits such freedom or prevents it except in matters connected with the prohibitions contained in the preceding article” (International Foundation for Electoral Systems, “Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay”).
Today, Article 27 of Paraguay’s [[Probable year:: 1992]] Constitution protects press freedom: “The use of the mass communication media is of public interest; in consequence, their functioning may not be closed or suspended… Any discriminatory practice in the provision of supplies to the press, as well as interfering the radio-electrical frequencies and the obstruction, in any way, of the free circulation, distribution, and sale of periodicals, books, magazines, or other publications with a responsible direction or authors are prohibited" (Constitute Project, “ Paraguay’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1992]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2011]]” ). +
Article 3 of Peru’s [[Probable year:: 1823]] Constitution originally protected press freedom (Wikisource, "Political Constitution of the Peruvian Republic of [[Probable year:: 1823]]" ).
Today, Article 2 of Peru’s [[Probable year:: 1993]] Constitution protects press freedom: “To freedom of information, opinion, expression, and dissemination of thought, whether oral, written, or in images, through any medium of social communication, and without previous authorization, censorship, or impediment, under penalty of law" (Constitute Project, “ Peru’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1993]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2021]]” ). +
The Philippines first protected press freedom under Article 20 of the [[Probable year:: 1899]] Malolos Constitution: Neither shall any Filipino be deprived… Of the right to freely express his ideas or opinions, orally or in writing, through the use of the press or other similar means" (Arellano Law Foundation, "[[Probable year:: 1889]] Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines").
Today, Article III, Section 4 of the Philippines’ [[Probable year:: 1987]] Constitution protects press freedom: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances" Constitute Project, “ Philippines’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1987]]” ). +
Title II, Section XVI of the [[Probable year:: 1815]] Polish Constitution originally protected press freedom: “The liberty of the press is guaranteed. The law shall determine the method of restraining its abuses" (Wikisource, "Constitutional Charter of the Kingdom of Poland, In the Year [[Probable year:: 1815]]" ).
Today, Article 14 of Poland’s [[Probable year:: 1997]] Constitution protects press freedom: “The Republic of Poland shall ensure freedom of the press and other means of social communication" (Constitute Project, “ Poland’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1997]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2009]]” ). +
Articles 7 and 8 of the [[Probable year:: 1822]] Portuguese Constitution originally protected press freedom: “The free communication of thoughts is one of man's most precious rights. All Portuguese may therefore, without prior censorship, express their opinions in any matter, as long as they are responsible for the abuse of this freedom in the cases, and in the form that the law determines… The Courts will appoint a Special Court, to protect the freedom of the press, and to curb the offenses resulting from its abuse, as provided for in art. 177 and 189” (O Portal da História, “CONSTITUIÇÃO PORTUGUESA DE [[Probable year:: 1822]]” ). [Translated from Portuguese]
Today, Article 37 of Portugal’s [[Probable year:: 1976]] Constitution protects press freedom: “Everyone shall possess the right to freely express and publicise his thoughts in words, images or by any other means, as well as the right to inform others, inform himself and be informed without hindrance or discrimination"(Constitute Project, “Portugal’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1976]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2005]]” ). +
Article 48 of Qatar’s [[Probable year:: 2003]] Constitution protects press freedom: “Freedom of the press, printing, and publishing is guaranteed according to the law" (Constitute Project, “ Qatar’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 2003]]” ). +
Article 40 of the [[Probable year:: 1937]] Irish Constitution provides Ireland’s first explicit protections for press freedom: “the State shall endeavour to ensure that organs of public opinion, such as the radio, the press, the cinema, while preserving their rightful liberty of expression, including criticism of Government policy, shall not be used to undermine public order or morality or the authority of the State” (Constitute Project, “Ireland's Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1937]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2012]]” ). +
Article 25 of Republic of Congo’s [[Probable year:: 2015]] Constitution protects press freedom: “Any citizen has the right to express and to freely diffuse his opinion by words [par la parole], writing, images or by any other means of communication. The freedom of information and communication is guaranteed. It is exercised within respect for the law” (Constitute Project, “Congo (Republic of the)'s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 2015]]” ). +
Article 30 of Romania’s [[Probable year:: 1991]] Constitution protects press freedom: “The freedom to express ideas, opinions, and beliefs, and the freedom of creation in any form-orally, in writing, through images, by means of sound, or by any other means of public communication-are inviolable…Freedom of the press also includes the freedom to establish publications" (Constitute Project, “ Romania’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1991]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2003]]” ). +
Article 79 of the [[Probable year:: 1906]] Russian Constitution first protected press freedom: “Within the limits fixed by law every one may express his thoughts by word or writing and circulate them by means of the press or otherwise” (Northern Virginia Community College, “Fundamental Laws, [[Probable year:: 1906]]” ).
Today, Article 29 of Russia’s [[Probable year:: 1993]] Constitution protects press freedom: “Everyone shall have the right to freely look for, receive, transmit, produce and distribute information by any legal way. The list of data comprising state secrets shall be determined by a federal law. The freedom of mass communication shall be guaranteed. Censorship shall be banned" (Constitute Project, “Russia’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1993]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2014]]” ). +
Article 21 of Rwanda’s [[Probable year:: 1962]] Constitution originally protected press freedom: “The secrecy of correspondence, postal and telegraphic communications is inviolable” (World Digital Library, “Constitution de la République Rwandaise”). [Translated from French]
Today, Article 38 of Rwanda’s [[Probable year:: 2003]] Constitution protects press freedom: “Freedom of press, of expression and of access to information are recognised and guaranteed by the State" (Constitute Project, “ Rwanda’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 2003]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2015]]” ). +
Article 12 of Saint Kitts and Nevis’s [[Probable year:: 1983]] Constitution does not explicitly mention press freedom, but includes press protections in its description of freedom of expression: “freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference (whether the communication is to the public generally or to any person or class of persons) and freedom from interference with his correspondence" (Constitute Project, “Saint Kitts and Nevis’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1983]]” ). +
Chapter I, Article 9 of Saint Lucia’s [[Probable year:: 1978]] Constitution protects press freedom as a part of freedom of expression: “a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference (whether the communication be to the public generally or to any person or class of persons) and freedom from interference with his correspondence" (Constitute Project, “Saint Lucia’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1978]]” ). +
Article 10 of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ [[Probable year:: 1978]] Constitution protects press freedom as a part of freedom of expression: “a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference (whether the communication be to the public generally or to any person or class of persons) and freedom from interference with his correspondence" (Constitute Project, “Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1979]]” ). +
While freedom of the press is not explicitly mentioned in Samoa’s [[Probable year:: 1962]] Constitution, freedom of expression is protected and “freedom of the press is generally respected” according to Freedom House (Freedom House, "Samoa"). +
Article 6 of San Marino’s [[Probable year:: 1974]] Declaration on the Citizens’ Right and Fundamental Principles ensures that “the privacy of any form of communication shall be protected" (WIPO, "Declaration on the Citizens’ Rights and Fundamental Principles of San Marino Constitutional Order"). +
Saudi Arabia has no formal protections on press freedom. Article 39 of Saudi Arabia’s [[Probable year:: 1992]] Constitution outlines how the state conducts relations with the press: “Mass media, publication facilities and other means of expression shall function in a manner that is courteous and fair and shall abide by State laws. They shall play their part in educating the masses and boosting national unity. All that may give rise to mischief and discord, or may compromise the security of the State and its public image, or may offend against man's dignity and rights shall be banned. Relevant regulations shall explain how this is to be done" (Constitute Project, “Saudi Arabia’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1992]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2013]]” ). +
Article 8 of Senegal’s [[Probable year:: 2001]] Constitution protects press freedom: “The Republic of Senegal guarantees to all citizens the fundamental individual freedoms, the economic and social rights as well as the collective rights. These freedoms and rights are notably…the civil and political freedoms: freedom of opinion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement [déplacemnent], [and] freedom of manifestation" (Constitute Project, “ Senegal’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1992]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2013]]” ). +
The [[Probable year:: 1935]] Serbian Constitution protected freedom of the press, and King Milan IV of Serbia discussed freedom of the press as early as [[Probable year:: 1875]]: “Although nominated but a few days ago, the Ministers whom I have assembled around me in these grave circumstances, will submit to you nevertheless some projects of laws tending to improve our national institutions, to wit, a law destined to increase the securities for personal safety, a law for the extension of the liberty of the press, and a law for the extension of communal self-government” (Hertslet [[Probable year:: 1875]], p. 34).
Today, Article 46 of Serbia’s [[Probable year:: 2006]] Constitution protects press freedom: “The freedom of thought and expression shall be guaranteed, as well as the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through speech, writing, art or in some other manner” (International Labour Organization, “Constitution of The Republic of Serbia”). +
Seychelles’ [[Probable year:: 1993]] Constitution does not explicitly protect press freedom, but includes protections “to seek, receive and impart ideas and information without interference” as a part of freedom of expression protections (Constitute Project, “Seychelles’s Constitution of [[Probable year:: 1993]] with Amendments through [[Probable year:: 2017]]” ). +