"Freedom of the press" has not always been construed to mean that the press has special privileges and is above the law, laws which apply to everyone else. Take the case of Kenneth Starr; the Clinton admin, working hand in glove with the Times and other media, leaked privileged grand jury testimony, then blamed it on Starr in order to sidetrack Starr's investigation. If the media had been required to name their sources, this injustice - this crime - would not have been possible. But I guess you don't think it's a crime for Democrats to interfere with a federal grand jury investigation.
Right again.
Like all things constitutional (and legal) the meaning, the real meaning as expressed in the actions of the legal system, is constantly changing and evolving in response to elections and changes in public perceptions.
But the importance the Founders attached to the basic idea is unchanging.