<P> Freedom of the press in the United States is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution . This amendment is generally understood to prevent the government from interfering with the distribution of information and opinions . Nevertheless, freedom of the press is subject to certain restrictions, such as defamation law . </P> <P> In the Thirteen Colonies before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the media was subject to a series of regulations . British authorities attempted to prohibit the publication and circulation of information of which they did not approve . </P>

Where did freedom of the press come from