Democratic freedom is protected partly by the democratic traditions upon which it stands, partly by the legal system, partly by documents such as the US Constitution or the British North America Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights. It is also protected by a free press and an alert, well-educated citizenry.

It's very, very difficult to establish such freedom in a place that has little or no such tradition of freedom to serve as a foundation. It's also difficult to maintain such freedom in a place where the media is owned by a few centralized conglomerates (whether governmental or corporate), and where the public is not too well-informed.

A press that has been bought out by a few rich men may be a free press in name only. It depends on the morality and will of the owners.

- LH