UN General Assembly
1948

As regards the question of human rights and freedom of information, it had at one time been hoped that at the present General Assembly the nations of the world would be able to pledge themselves to a covenant defining human rights. That now seemed doubtful, but his Government would not slacken its efforts to secure such a covenant. It was hoped that the General Assembly would, without dissent, approve the draft declaration on human rights which was now submitted to it, and also that it would be possible to agree upon the covenants covering freedom of information and freedom of association. In themselves those were great instruments. If a definition could be agreed upon as to what human rights each should safeguard; if there were provision among the Members of the United Nations for the free movement of information as well as of individuals, the tension between the Members would be immediately relieved and misunderstanding would ultimately be removed.