Freedom of the Press

censor

officially examine books, films, works of art etc. and remove anything that is considered offensive, harmful or unacceptable - often for political reasons

public right to know

the right of all persons to ask the government for information/records relating to policies and laws

freedom of speech / expression

the power or right to express one's opinions without censorship, restraint, or legal punishment

First Amendment

an amendment to the Constitution of the United States guaranteeing the right of free expression; it protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, religion and the right to petition the government (to make a complaint or seek assistance without fear of legal punishment)

human rights

the basic rights to fair and moral treatment that every person is believed to have (such as justice and the freedom of expression)

(be) under surveillance

close observation of a person or group

allege

to say that something is true or that someone has done something wrong or illegal, even though this has not been proved

persecute

to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion, or political beliefs or to annoy someone by refusing to leave them alone

detain

to keep someone in a police station or prison and not allow them to leave

ransom

a large sum of money which is demanded in exchange for someone who has been taken prisoner

torture

the act of causing great physical or mental pain in order to persuade someone to do something or to give information

harass

to continue to annoy or upset someone over a period of time

interrogate

to ask someone a lot of questions for a long time in order to get information, sometimes using threats or violence

imprison

to put someone in prison

ban

to forbid (= refuse to allow), especially officially

intimidate

to deliberately make someone feel frightened, especially so that they will do what you want

provide access to

allow someone to look at information/documents

block / deny access to

not allow someone to look at information/documents

dissident

someone who disagrees publicly with a government, especially in a country where this is not allowed

impartial

not connected to or influenced by one particular person or group

cover (a story)

o report the news about a particular important event

leak

to reveal private or secret information to reporters or to the public

disclose

to make something known publicly, or to reveal something that was hidden

injunction

an official order given by a court of law, usually to stop someone from doing something

appeal

to formally ask a court of law or similar authority to change its decision