What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a free press?

Answer 1

Advantages are that they can get information about the government, people, business, crimes, politics, etc.

Disadvantages are that too much can be exposed and information that other places/people may find offensive.

Answer 2

There are very few disadvantages to an educated population, and none at all if media is truthful. The danger is in people using the media to promote untruth as truth and confuse those who know no better.

The advantages are in sharing information and education. The more ideas are discussed, the greater the consensus becomes.