This section covers official government restrictions of speech prior to publication. Prior restraints are viewed by the U.S. Supreme Court as “the most serious and the least tolerable infringement on First Amendment rights," which repeatedly has found that such restraints are presumed unconstitutional. Restraints on Internet speech follow the same rules, although particular speech can often be restrained if it has already been adjudged as libelous.

Everything online journalists need to protect their legal rights. This free resource culls from all Reporters Committee resources and includes exclusive content on digital media law issues.