Component One: Application of a Key Concept, 1,000 words approx - Essay Example

Press freedom has been a topic of great interest these days because of the issues that have been tackled with the help of press in many nations. Although the constitutions of many nations state that the press should be given the liberty it is still seen that the press in these nations is being controlled somehow. This essay would further clarify the concept of press freedom and public opinion with regard to the issues pertaining to the media (Belle 2000). Press freedom and public opinion are considered to be necessary for the purpose of democracy in this world.

An issue which was recently witnessed in the media scene was the issue relating to the documents which were leaked by a website known as ‘Wikileaks’. Wikileaks is a website established in 2004 which puts up sensitive information about certain issues in the world. Wikileaks has been involved recently in three major leaks which revolved around the secret documentation of the United States. Julian Assange is the spokesperson of the website which was involved in the major breakthroughs of the press.

The concept of press freedom and public opinion can be witnessed in the leaks done by Julian Assange (Star & Keller 2011; Joseph 2006). Press freedom is a form of freedom which every state practices to ensure the democracy of the state. Public opinion on the other hand is necessary for the state affairs. Wikileaks took a huge step of leaking out the documents of the state government of United States to the general public and this rose a question for many “Does the act of leaking out documents fall in the precinct of press freedom”.

Different individuals have come up with different views on this topic. Some believe that the act was unethical and was aimed at disturbing the relationship of United States and other countries whereas some believe that the act was in the limits of press freedom (Blevens et al 2001; Star & Keller 2011). The act of Julian Assange has raised danger for many of the individuals involved in wrongdoing and peccadilloes. The act has somehow broken the silent rules of press freedom which previously did not allow the leakage of sensitive issues to the general public.

It has also harmed the diplomatic relationships of the United States with several countries. The harm done after breaking the rules of press freedom in the world can be witnessed in the after effects of a conspiracy waged against Julian Assange. As the constitution of the states did not allow to charge Julian Assange of contempt a conspiracy has been held against him presumably by the UN officials. He was held in a jail on the charges of rape which according to him are false and are lodged only to harm the integrity of the press freedom (Star & Keller 2011; Leigh et al 2011; Time 2010).

Julian Assange is reported to have commented about the current regime of United States as a “a regime that doesn’t believe in the freedom of the press and doesn’t act like it believes it” (Rayner 2010). The leaks on the website have clearly up roared public opinions about the stance of United States on certain issues. Public opinion all over the world is appreciated to a certain extent after which it is limited. The