New technologies are changing the panorama of traditional media. The main implications of new technologies regarding the Freedom of the press nowadays are the following:
1 - Terrestrial TV vs. Satellite TV
Terrestrial TV is relatively easy to manage and manipulate but Satellite TV is much more difficult to control as journalistic content can easily be broadcast beyond the control of individual governments.
Satellite broadcaster Al Jazeera, the Arabic language media channel, operates out of Qatar and often presents views and contents problematic to a number of governments in the region.
2 - Web-based publishing (e.g. blogging) vs. Traditional publishing.
Web-based publishing systems can be run using ubiquitous and inexpensive equipment and can operate from anywhere.
To get control over web publications, nations and organizations are using Geolocation software.
3 - Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) vs. Conventional telephony.
Modern VOIP technology can employ sophisticated encryption systems to evade centrlal monitoring systems.
Governments are responding to the challenges posed by new media technologies by deploying increasingly sophisticated technologies of their own. Take for instance the case of China's attempts to impose control through a state run internet service provider that controls access to the Internet.
Anyway, we might say that new technologies are "in favour of" freedom of ideas.
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