Freedom of the press in the United States is subject to certain restrictions due to defamation of law, barriers to information access and constraints caused by public and government hostility to journalists.
further explanations:
"Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." What does this quote mean? It means, that the government may not jail, fine, or impose civil liability on people or organizations based on what they say or write, except in exceptional circumstances. The Supreme Court has interpreted “speech” and “press” broadly as covering not only talking, writing, and printing, but also broadcasting, using the Internet, and other forms of expression. The freedom of speech also applies to symbolic expression, such as displaying flags, burning flags, wearing armbands, burning crosses, and etc. But there are generally a few situations in which the Supreme Court can constitutionally and legally "restrict press/speech." The Supreme Court has held that certain types of speech are “low” of First Amendment value, such as defamation, true threats, "fighting words", Commercial Advertising. But hate speech towards the government or anything alike is protected by the first amendment.
Answer:
Some governments restrict freedom of the press because the news can sway decisions and beliefs. If a dictator, et cetera doesn't want their people to hear bad things about them that may or may not be true, then they can say that no press can talk bad about them. It some places it's even illegal to trash talk people who are in charge.
