The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that Congress shall make no law abridging (curtailing) the freedom of the press. Thus, freedom of the press prohibits censorship by the government in the reporting of news and the publication of opinions.
In Missouri, as in all states, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of the press. This means that the government, including state and local authorities, cannot censor or restrict the media's ability to report news or publish opinions. Missouri's state statutes and courts uphold this fundamental right, ensuring that journalists and media outlets can operate without undue government interference. However, this freedom is not absolute, and there are legal limitations such as defamation laws, privacy considerations, and certain restrictions on content that may incite violence or constitute obscenity. It's important to note that while the government cannot censor the press, private entities have more leeway in controlling what is published on their platforms.