Description Quote by Thomas McKean
“The true liberty of the press is amply secured by permitting every man to publish his opinion; but it is due to the peace and dignity of society, to inquire into the motives of such publications, and to distinguish between those which are meant for use and reformation, and with an eye solely to the public good, and those which are intended merely to delude and defame. To the latter description, it is impossible that any good government should afford protection and impunity.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: 1787 correspondence on press freedom, Thomas McKean
Free press is vital but must be balanced with responsibility to prevent harmful misinformation.
In simple terms: Press freedom needs responsible use.
Key Takeaway
Support a free press while demanding accountability.
Themes
freedom of speech
media ethics
public good
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- news media regulation
- public policy
Key Concepts
civic responsibility
information integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How should societies limit harmful publications?
- What mechanisms ensure media accountability?
A Different Perspective
Absolute press freedom can enable defamation and destabilize society.
![“That this liberty [of the press] is often carried to excess; that it has sometimes degenerated into licentiousness, is seen and lamented, but the remedy has not yet been discovered. Perhaps it is an evil inseparable from the good with which it is allied; perhaps it is a shoot which cannot be…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/52f/james-madison-373_america_that-this-liberty-of-the-press-is-often_908560.jpg)
