Mahathir Mohamad Quotes

I don't think that there is absolute freedom of the press. We operate under laws - against libel, for instance. The idea that there is some absolute press freedom is kind of a myth.

The freedom of the press works in such a way that there is not much freedom from it.

In order to enjoy the inestimable benefits that the liberty of the press ensures, it is necessary to submit to the inevitable evils it creates

We need a free media, not just freedom of speech.

It should be clear by now that my focus here is not freedom of speech or the press. This freedom is all too often an exaggeration. At the very least, blind references to freedom of speech or the press serve as a distraction from the critical examination of other communications policies.

I am a passionate believer in freedom of speech. I would not support anything which would impinge on aggressive robust freedom of the British press, but when things go wrong and there has been outright illegality, there should be proper accountability.

One of the unsung freedoms that go with a free press is the freedom not to read it.

One of our greatest glories is closure of offending newspapers. Based on our assessments, by doing this, we have done the greatest service to the people

What is the liberty of the press? Who can give it any definition that would not leave the utmost latitude for evasion …. Its [the press's] security … must altogether depend on public opinion.

To-day a democrat of the old school would demand, not freedom for the press, but freedom from the press

Although I may find the type of programming seen during the 2004 Super Bowl and the 2003 Golden Globe Awards disgusting and disturbing, we must always work hard to defend the cherished freedoms so clearly outlined in our Constitution, including a healthy and free press.

When someone has to intervene to defend the liberty of the press, that society is sick.

You can't stop people printing what they want to print.

As long as I don't write about the government, religion, politics, and other institutions, I am free to print anything.

I'm not a big fan of regulation: anyone who likes freedom of the press can't be.

There's hardly any governmental censorship in Korea.

If I want to ban any newspaper, I will, with good reason.

Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.

Routine is a declivity down which many governments slide, and routine says that freedom of the press is dangerous.

It is a misfortune that necessity has induced men to accord greater license to this formidable engine, in order to obtain liberty, than can be borne with less important objects in view; for the press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.

Our founding fathers could not have foreseen that freedom of the press might eventually be threatened just as much by media consolidation as by government.

A free and truly independent press - fiercely independent when necessary - is the red beating heart of freedom and democracy.

If I had my choice I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast.

We believe that the remedy to any harm resulting from press freedom lies in press freedom itself.

The ministry of interior may censor newspapers and ban them if they include anything that violates public security, threatens national unity, or contradicts Islam.