Which of the following has the oldest Act of Freedom of the Press?
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option C —
Sweden
Sweden holds the distinction of having the world's oldest constitutional protection for the freedom of the press.
Key Facts: The Freedom of the Press Act of 1766
Historical Context: In 1766, Sweden became the first country in the world to introduce a constitutional law that abolished censorship and guaranteed the right of the press to publish freely.
The Principle of Publicity: This Act also introduced the Principle of Public Access, which allowed citizens to access government documents. This made Sweden a pioneer not just in press freedom, but also in government transparency (Freedom of Information).
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Comparison: * United Kingdom: While the UK has a long history of common law regarding the press, it does not have a single "Act" predating 1766 that provides such broad constitutional guarantees.
Norway: Its Constitution (which includes press freedom) dates back to 1814.
Germany: Press freedom in Germany was only firmly and consistently established much later, particularly with the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) of 1949.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
