very important. It means that newspaper* can report what they like, can criticise the government, and can carry out investigative journalism without worrying that they are breaking the law.
Where there is no freedom of the press, people are often not told the truth about what is realty happening. Governments can use newspapers for their own propaganda, and can censor facts and opinions that they do not want people to read about.
vocabulary
biased /'baiast/ [acf;] a biased report or article is unfair, because it strongly supports or -strongly opposes one particular group, opinion etc. and it does not give all the facts: a biased newspaper article about the election campaign + towards/га/cvour of Much of the British press is biosed in favour of the Conservative Party. + against They complained that the news report was biased agoinst the police
censor /senjoV \v T) to take out the parts of a written article, a television programme, a film etc that you do not want other people to read. see. or hear because you think the information is politically dangerous or immoraclass="underline" During the war alt newspapers and magazines were censored.
allowed to read in newspapers, watch on television etc: The government soon imposed strict censor ship on the press
copy /'knpij'ka:-/ [n С] a single newspaper: How many copies does the New York Times sell? + of There s о copy of yesterday s Guardian around somewhere.
yreedom oj the press /,fri:d^m ov to pres/ when newspapers are allowed to write about whatever they want, and to give whatever opinions they want, without there being any laws 1o stop them: The new c/ouernmenr has promised to allow complete freedom of the press.
intrusive /m'tru:siv/ [adj\ affecting or concerning people's personal lives in an annoying or upsetting way. The /amWy found many of the questions intrusive and sometimes offensive.
But in some cases, the newspapers themselves do not always tell the truth about what is happening. They sometimes try to influence people's political opinions, and newspaper reports can be biased. Many newspapers are more concerned with sensationalism than with serious news reporting,, because this helps J them to sell more copies of the paper.
tn some countries, however, it can seem as if the press has too much freedom. Famous people sometimes fee! that newspapers are intrusive, and print too much about their
private lives. Many countries have laws that are designed to protect people's privacy.
If newspapers print something that is untrue about someone, they can be charged with libel, but this can still mean that people's lives,
521 NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
families, or jobs ran be seriously damaged.
investigative journalism!reporting /m.vesti-
<ptiv d3Xrnaliwm, n'parhj]|-gcLMv-/ when journalists use their skill and determination to try to discover the truth about something serious that someone else is trying to keep secret: President Nixon resigned after some excellent investigative reporting by two Washington Post journalists.
libel /laiM/ [n U| when a newspaper or magazine writes something untrue about someone: He's suing (he magazine for JibeI after they accused him of being q Nazi sympathizer (=he is taking the magazine to a law court to prove that they are guilty of libel)
privacy /'pnvasi, lprai-|'prai-/ In U] the idea that a person, especially an important or famous person, has the right to have a normal life with their family and friends, without newspapers telling people everything about them: Though she's an international superstar; $he says her privacy is still very important to her.
private U/e/praiv^ Ш/ [n С} the way you live your life and what you do with your friends and family, rather than the things you do as part of your job or official position: / think that what politicians do in their private lives is their own business.
propaganda /prDpo'gaendaJpraV |n U] the use of newspapers, television, film etc to make people believe things that are not true, for example by giving only some of the facts or by giving false information about an opponent: Early reports of the massacre
were thought to be sheer propaganda.
sensationalism /sen'seij«?na!iz<nn/ [n U] a way of reporting events or stories that makes them seem as strange, exciting, or shocking as possible; The Daily Planet was accused of sensationalism in its reporting of the trial
something you like or
enjoy
Qruce ;nais/ [adj] especially spoken That's a nice jacket. Is it new? I Have a nice day!
nice to do sth It's really nice to see you again.
+ for It's much nicer for the kids when they have other kids to play with. look/taste/smell nice You look really nice in that dress.
nice big/quiet/long etc I got a nice long
letter from Andreas this morning. I a
nice hot bath
A
nice - nicer - nicest
Be careful not to use nice too much in written English.
lovely /"Uvli/ [adj] informal, especially BRinsH very nice: We had a lovely time at the beach. \ Thank you for the lovely birthday present.
it is lovely to do sth It would be lovely to see you.
look/taste/smell lovely Anna's perfume smells lovely.
lovely big/long etc They've got a lovely big house.
lovely - lovelier - loveliest
pleasant 'plez^nt/ |adj] a pleasant
place, occasion, or activity is one that you like, especially because it is peaceful, attractive, or relaxing: We spent a very pleasant evening chatting. I Relax in the peoceful and pleasant surroundings of our hotel. ) a pleasant little town pleasantly [adu] It was pleasantly cool by the river.
enjoyable /m'dpiabal/ [adjl an enjoyable experience or activity is one that you enjoy, because it is interesting, exciting etc: We hope you will have an interesting and enjoyable trip. I I find aerobics more enjoyable than jogging. I an enjoyable day at the Carnival