What is the role of the free press in strengthening democracy, good governance, and human development? Liberal theorists have long argued that the existence of an unfettered and independent press within each nation is essential in the process of democratization, by contributing to the right of freedom of expression, thought, and conscience; strengthening the responsiveness and accountability of governments to all citizens; and providing a pluralist platform and channel of political expression for a multiplicity of groups and interests. The guarantee of freedom of expression and information is recognized as a basic human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN in 1948, the European Convention on Human Rights, the American Convention on Human Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. In particular, Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” The positive relationship between the growth of the free press and the process of democratization is thought to be reciprocal. The core claim is that in the first stage the initial transition from autocracy opens up the state control of the media to private ownership, diffuses access, and reduces official censorship and government control of information.