On the record
The book, the pamphlet, the newspaper, ought to circulate with unimpeded freedom in whatever direction they can move.
Said by
Harold J. Laski
Source
gutenberg.orgHarold J. Laski: “The book, the pamphlet, the newspaper, ought to circulate with unimpeded freedom in whatever direction they can move.”
Editor's note · Context
He argues for the free circulation of printed materials as essential for a healthy society.
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More from Harold J. Laski
The essence of the persecuting position is always that the persecutor has hold of truth and that he would betray its service by allowing it to be questioned.
He is able, accordingly, to indulge in the twofold luxury not only of preserving his own authority, but also of assisting the persons attacked to enter, if they so choose, the way of truth.
Ultimately, that denial is always made upon the same ground: it is insisted that the doctrines or practices attacked are subversive of the civil order.
We grant it in religion to deny it in politics; we grant it in politics, to deny it in economic matters.
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