Political Quotes

“Madam President, May 3 was World Press Freedom Day. In this country, we recognize freedom of expression as our most cherished right. It forms the foundation for every other freedom, and an independent press is essential to its exercise. Yet in many countries expression is often censored and punished. Journalists are threatened, imprisoned, and killed for exposing official corruption and criticizing government repression. Not only is the media targeted and silenced, the entire population is denied access to accurate reporting. The Senate was in recess on May 3, but I would like to call other Senators' attention to troubling events that currently pose one of the gravest threats to freedom of expression in this hemisphere. I am speaking about the actions of Ecuador's President Rafael Correa and officials in his government to silence independent broadcasters and publishers and watchdog organizations, undermining the fundamental right of free expression in ways that resemble what we have come to expect in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. There is no institution more fundamental to democracy than a free and independent press. A free press helps protect the rule of law, to ensure that no person or group is above the rules and procedures that govern a democratic society. A free press helps ensure transparency to prod governments to be honest and accountable to their citizens.…”