There is freedom of speech and there is freedom of the press or press freedom but which pre-dates the other or which is pre-existent to the other and how different is one from the other? Before we answer this question, it is imperative to indicate that freedom of the press is a form of freedom of the media hence we will use press freedom and freedom of the media interchangeably in this piece.
Now, let us attempt an answer to the question above. Freedom of speech cannot be said to be the same as press freedom or freedom of the media. Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right that is naturally made possible among human beings. Unless they have irreparable speech impairment or dumb, human beings are born to talk naturally and they do not need any law passed by a government to do so.
In contrast, even though press freedom is also a right, it originated from technological advancement over time. For example, the generations that lived years before writing or printing or radio or television was invented could not have enjoyed press freedom because there was no press to warrant its freedom. However, this same generation e.g. Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel in the biblical account of Genesis had the natural right called freedom of speech or free speech or freedom of expression. Methinks that press freedom is a sub-set of freedom of speech because one can make speech or express himself either orally or by writing and press freedom resonates with written or audio-visual speech. Freedom of speech or one’s ability to talk naturally is a fundamental human right, and press freedom is another right brought into being by technological advancement.
The effects of a slanderous word by oral speech is not devastating as that of the written word because the spoken word may be easily forgotten as it is tantamount to evaporation but a libelous written word becomes a document that lasts for long hence even generations unborn can have access to it.
The media can and unmake personalities. This means that the media can elevate ordinary into the status of a celebrity or status of national and international fame make (from grass to grace) or make popular societal figures become unpopular(from grace to grass) such that society will tend to dislike the persons once held in high esteem . As a double edged sword, the same media that champion your success can again publish your untoward actions thereby making society shout crucify him even though you were celebrated yesterday. Mindful of the fact that society tends to believe the press more than what others say, media practitioners must act responsibly.
