The Freedom of the Press Act protects the freedom of the press against intervention from society in different ways. All prior scrutiny of printed material is prohibited, as are in principle all other measures that obstruct the printing, publication or dissemination of a document and which affect the document's contents. It is prohibited to take measures against statements put forward in printed matter after they have been printed, unless permitted by the Freedom of the Press Act. One person alone bears the responsibility for printed matter - in the case of books it is normally the author and in the case of newspapers, the responsible editor. Other individuals, for example, a person who submits information for publication, in principle bears no responsibility and has the right to anonymity.
Special rules apply to court proceedings in freedom of the press cases.
Among other things, a jury shall determine whether a criminal offence has been committed. A verdict of acquittal cannot be appealed against. Basic provisions about the protection of the freedom of expression on the radio, television, films, videos and sound recordings etc. are set out in the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. These provisions are based on the same principles as the Freedom of the Press Act. This means, for example, that the principles concerning prohibitions on censorship and freedom of establishment apply to the entire mass media area.