--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Vigorous independent and critical media…" description: "\"Vigorous independent and critical media are indispensable in a democracy.\" — Geoff Mulgan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/geoff-mulgan-7252_critical_vigorous-independent-and-critical-media_1296071.jpg" --- # Vigorous independent and critical media are indispensable… ![“Vigorous independent and critical media are indispensable in a democracy.” quote by Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/geoff-mulgan-7252_critical_vigorous-independent-and-critical-media_1296071.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/geoff-mulgan-7252_critical_vigorous-independent-and-critical-media_1296071.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/geoff-mulgan-7252_critical_vigorous-independent-and-critical-media_1296071.jpg) > “Vigorous independent and critical media are indispensable in a democracy.” [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement emphasizes that a free, independent, and critical press is essential for a healthy democratic system. **In simple terms:** Free press is vital for democracy. Key Takeaway Support independent journalism. Themes democracy media freedom accountability citizen engagement Mood concerned optimistic Type political educational When to use this quote - elections - policy debates - corruption investigations - public discourse Key Concepts public sphere information integrity media ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can societies protect media independence? - What role does citizen media play? A Different Perspective Press independence can be threatened by economic pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Critical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical/) [Critical Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical-media-3650648/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Independent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independent/) [Indispensable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indispensable/) [Indispensable Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indispensable-democracy-4239611/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media/) [Media Indispensable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media-indispensable-4239612/) [Vigorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigorous/) [Vigorous Independent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigorous-independent-4239613/) ## Related quotes > [I think there are a lot of reasons to be critical of the media in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bush/i-think-there-are-a-lot-of-reasons-to-be-critical-of-the-media-in/) [Laura Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bush/) > [In old grimy streets, in isolated and decaying houses, sometimes far from the Vieux Carre, in little used and secluded cemeteries, there still sluggishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-john-laughlin/in-old-grimy-streets-in-isolated-and-decaying-houses-sometimes-far/) [Clarence John Laughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-john-laughlin/) > [There has been, and there will continue to be, vigorous discussions about race in America. I worry that little will come of these discussions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/there-has-been-and-there-will-continue-to-be-vigorous-discussions/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-strunk-jr/vigorous-writing-is-concise-a-sentence-should-contain-no-unnecessary/) [William Strunk, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-strunk-jr/) > [We think that a powerful and vigorous movement is impossible without differences - "true conformity" is possible only in the cemetery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/we-think-that-a-powerful-and-vigorous-movement-is-impossible-without/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [Relations between States, as between individuals, must be regulated not by armed force, but in accordance with...truth, justice and vigorous and sincere co-operation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxiii/relations-between-states-as-between-individuals-must-be-regulated-not/) [Pope John XXIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxiii/) > [Standing armies can never consist of resolute robust men; they may be well-disciplined machines, but they will seldom contain men under the influence of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/standing-armies-can-never-consist-of-resolute-robust-men-they-may-be/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [Cities need old buildings so badly it is probably impossible for vigorous streets and districts to grow without them… for really new ideas of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/cities-need-old-buildings-so-badly-it-is-probably-impossible-for/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [ Look at what I am proposing, and we \[wih Bernie Sanders\] have a vigorous agreement here. We both want to reign in the excesses… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/look-at-what-i-am-proposing-and-we-wih-bernie-sanders-have-a-vigorous/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Many times people can access that being stage more fully and more easily if at first you are actually doing something. If you run,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakti-gawain/many-times-people-can-access-that-being-stage-more-fully-and-more/) [Shakti Gawain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakti-gawain/) > [There are believers who by God's grace, have climbed the mountains of full assurance and near communion, their place is with the eagle in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/there-are-believers-who-by-god-s-grace-have-climbed-the-mountains-of/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [When we pray, we must begin by conceiving God in full and vigorous images, but we must go on to acknowledge the inadequacy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-farrer/when-we-pray-we-must-begin-by-conceiving-god-in-full-and-vigorous/) [Austin Farrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-farrer/) > [If you put together all the ingredients that naturally attract children - sex, violence, revenge, spectacle and vigorous noise - what you have is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-martin/if-you-put-together-all-the-ingredients-that-naturally-attract/) [Judith Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-martin/) > [The clatter of a changing world is not pleasant, and those who have enjoyed the comforts and protection of the old order may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-clatter-of-a-changing-world-is-not-pleasant-and-those-who-have/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## More by Geoff Mulgan > [For most of human history, the main goal of states has been to conquer land and to achieve glory for their rulers, usually at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/for-most-of-human-history-the-main-goal-of-states-has-been-to-conquer/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [Over 5,000 years, states have made surprisingly consistent claims about their duties. They have promised to protect people from threats; promote their welfare; deliver…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/over-5-000-years-states-have-made-surprisingly-consistent-claims/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [The wrongful arrest of tens of thousands of British Muslims after the September 11 attacks can be explained by the very poor intelligence the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/the-wrongful-arrest-of-tens-of-thousands-of-british-muslims-after-the/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [Understanding capitalism is in some ways simple. At its best, capitalism rewards creators, makers and providers: the people and firms that create valuable things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/understanding-capitalism-is-in-some-ways-simple-at-its-best/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [By international standards, many of the U.K.'s policies for civil society are exemplary. However, there are concerns about constraints on civil liberties - particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/by-international-standards-many-of-the-u-k-s-policies-for-civil/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [Bangalore has become a centre for healthcare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/bangalore-has-become-a-centre-for-healthcare/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [The idea of entrepreneurship applies as much in politics, religion, society and the arts as it does in business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/the-idea-of-entrepreneurship-applies-as-much-in-politics-religion/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [Deeper fulfilment is rather different from the happiness of seeing a good film or watching your team win at football, and it doesn't come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/deeper-fulfilment-is-rather-different-from-the-happiness-of-seeing-a/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [With a fractured sense of self, we come to depend on what people feed back to us - often mediated through social networks -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/with-a-fractured-sense-of-self-we-come-to-depend-on-what-people-feed/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [Predation is part of the everyday life of capitalism, in sectors as mainstream as pharmaceuticals, software and oil - where people's money, their data,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/predation-is-part-of-the-everyday-life-of-capitalism-in-sectors-as/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [As a civil servant in charge of the government's Strategy Unit, I brought in many people from outside government, including academia and science, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/as-a-civil-servant-in-charge-of-the-government-s-strategy-unit-i/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [Systems governed by only one set of rules are more vulnerable than those with variety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/systems-governed-by-only-one-set-of-rules-are-more-vulnerable-than/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [States which used to communicate directly to their citizens now do so through the media, where their messages are reshaped by the logics of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/states-which-used-to-communicate-directly-to-their-citizens-now-do-so/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [Teenagers learn best by doing things, they learn best in teams and they learn best by doing things for real - all the opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/teenagers-learn-best-by-doing-things-they-learn-best-in-teams-and/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [Even many of the teenagers who feel confident on navigating the web simply don't have the skills needed to 'write and create' digital tools,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/even-many-of-the-teenagers-who-feel-confident-on-navigating-the-web/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) [Explore all 93 Geoff Mulgan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) ## More Critical quotes > [People will pay a price for putting political obstruction over progress in a time that is so critical and urgent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kaine/people-will-pay-a-price-for-putting-political-obstruction-over/) [Tim Kaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kaine/) > [Our critical day is not the very day of our death; but the whole course of our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/our-critical-day-is-not-the-very-day-of-our-death-but-the-whole/) [John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/) > [It's pointless to be critical of your stuff once it's done. I don't spend a lot of time agonising over it. It's of no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/it-s-pointless-to-be-critical-of-your-stuff-once-it-s-done-i-don-t/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [Majority decisions tend to be made without engaging the systematic thought and critical thinking skills of the individuals in the group. Given the force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/majority-decisions-tend-to-be-made-without-engaging-the-systematic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Without a vision there is no possibility of creating something larger than what al-ready exists. An entrepreneur has to be able to bring something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/without-a-vision-there-is-no-possibility-of-creating-something-larger/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [We must always refill and ensure there is a critical mass of leaders and activists committed to nonviolence and racial and economic justice who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/we-must-always-refill-and-ensure-there-is-a-critical-mass-of-leaders/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [But whether you stay or go, the critical decision you can make is to stop letting your partner distort the lens of your life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lundy-bancroft/but-whether-you-stay-or-go-the-critical-decision-you-can-make-is-to/) [Lundy Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lundy-bancroft/) > [As a businessperson, I dont have the power to change the government. That is in the hands of the political leaders. However, as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tadashi-yanai/as-a-businessperson-i-dont-have-the-power-to-change-the-government/) [Tadashi Yanai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tadashi-yanai/) > [It has never been more critical that a leader step forward to accelerate our understanding of cancer - and champion the effort to finally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-j-dzau/it-has-never-been-more-critical-that-a-leader-step-forward-to/) [Victor J. Dzau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-j-dzau/) > [Pleasure is by no means an infallible critical guide, but it is the least fallible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/pleasure-is-by-no-means-an-infallible-critical-guide-but-it-is-the/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [There is no royal path to good writing; and such paths as exist do not lead through neat critical gardens, various as they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessamyn-west/there-is-no-royal-path-to-good-writing-and-such-paths-as-exist-do-not/) [Jessamyn West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessamyn-west/) > [You know, children philosophize more than adults - and they are critical of adults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/you-know-children-philosophize-more-than-adults-and-they-are-critical/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [The critical question about regret is whether experience led to growth and new learning. Some people seem to keep on making the same mistakes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-catherine-bateson/the-critical-question-about-regret-is-whether-experience-led-to/) [Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-catherine-bateson/) > [Obama did organize a great large number of people and many enthusiastic people, what's called in the press 'Obama's Army.' But the army is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/obama-did-organize-a-great-large-number-of-people-and-many/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Too often we forget that social and political movements don't happen overnight. They don't bring change immediately - you have to build a critical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/too-often-we-forget-that-social-and-political-movements-don-t-happen/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) [Browse all 2,389 Critical quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Vigorous independent and critical media are indispensable in a democracy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Geoff Mulgan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/vigorous-independent-and-critical-media-are-indispensable-in-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Critical" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/vigorous-independent-and-critical-media-are-indispensable-in-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/geoff-mulgan-7252_critical_vigorous-independent-and-critical-media_1296071.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/geoff-mulgan-7252_critical_vigorous-independent-and-critical-media_1296071.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/geoff-mulgan-7252_critical_vigorous-independent-and-critical-media_1296071.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Vigorous independent and critical media are indispensable in a democracy.” — Geoff Mulgan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Geoff Mulgan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Vigorous independent and critical media are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/vigorous-independent-and-critical-media-are-indispensable-in-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/vigorous-independent-and-critical-media-are-indispensable-in-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```