Nehru's "Freedom and Licence" was a speech delivered at the 'All Indian Newspaper Editors' conference held on December 3, 1950 in New Delhi. It was an informal address here Nehru instead on finding solutions to difficult and baffling problems.

Nehru emphasised the necessity of speaking carefully in times of crisis. A wrong world or actions might bring bad results. Afetr Independence we have the responsibility of protecting the country from external danger and internal riot. Only dispassionate thought and calm consideration of problems would help to solve problems in times of crises.

There are responsible and irresponsible newspaper in India. The government should not try to suppress the irresponsible newspaper that had an evil tendency because the evil might grow and endanger the public welfare. Instead, they should be amde to realise their obligation. The freedom of the press is an essential attribute of the domocratic process.

Without responsibility freedom would become something very near licence. Licence means mental disintegration. It would affect every limb in the body. This could be applied to newspapers, the newspapers should try to maintain a certain integrety to approach in public activities. They should also maintain standards.

Nehru was concerned about the rapid fall in mental and moral standard. In India we could achieve these under the guidance of the great man. Nehru wished that newspaper should not poison the mind of people through vulgarity. They must try to uplift the social behaviour and discipline.Nehru, then sought the co-operation of newspaper in keeping secrecy of the country because it would affect relations with other countries. He promised the press that he would arrange for a healthy relationship between newspapers and the government.

No country in the world should endanger world's peace on grounds of prestige or anger. We should encourge common humanity and friendliness to fight out the evils and establish peace.

• Written by Vijay.
• In category General Reference.
• 14 years ago.

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