There are things that should not be debated. We should not be debating the policy of reintroducing slavery or the policy of reintroducing torture, but the same measure of a human rights culture. We should not even begin debating a policy of regulating the press, sir. [Applause.]
Throughout the world, in the greatest times of crisis, at the height of the Cold War, no country introduced any measure to suppress the press. There is a problem and the solution lies in the law against defamation.
My question to the President is: To which extent is the law of defamation not sufficient? I have been a victim of unfair press reporting many times, but I do stand with Voltaire when he says that -
As much as I hate what you write about me, I would give my life so that you can continue to write ...
And why should we, Mr President, if we are about to introduce a real culture of human rights, not take a leap of faith in letting the press grow? It's a new press, a new democratic press, and let it grow. [Time expired.] [Applause.]