Threats to public order interests: national security, territorial integrity, public safety and prevention of disorder and crime

Media freedom is based on the idea that a free and open discourse on matters of public concern is more conducive to a democratic society than the suppression of unpalatable speech. Freedom of expression and media freedom do not only protect information and ideas that are favourably received or regarded as inoffensive or as a matter of indifference, but also those that offend, shock or disturb the state or any sector of the population. Because of its dominant position in public discourse, the government especially has to abstain from interfering with media freedom via governmental channels of communication.