Article I. Declaration of Rights

Article I, Section 19

Constitution of the State of Tennessee

Official text

That the printing press shall be free to every person to examine the proceedings of the Legislature; or of any branch or officer of the government, and no law shall ever be made to restrain the right thereof. The free communication of thoughts and opinions, is one of the invaluable rights of man and every citizen may freely speak, write, and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. But in prosecutions for the publication of papers investigating the official conduct of officers, or men in public capacity, the truth thereof may be given in evidence; and in all indictments for libel, the jury shall have a right to determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court, as in other criminal cases.

Source: Tennessee Blue Book 2025-2026 (Tennessee Secretary of State)

In plain English

The press is free to examine the proceedings of the legislature and of every branch and officer of government, and no law may restrain it. Every citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, while remaining responsible for abusing that liberty. In prosecutions over publications investigating officials' conduct, the truth may be offered as evidence, and in libel prosecutions the jury decides both the law and the facts under the court's direction.

Plain-English summary drafted by Christian Vote USA; editor review pending. Always read the official text above.

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