Free-market, democratic capitalist system results in free press supported by advertising. Politics supported by donations. Advertising influence on press. Donor influence on politics. Competition of ideas.
Democracy relies on informed electorate, free flow of ideas, education.
Idea of intellectual freedom. People need freedom to debate, freedom of speech, arrive at truth, best government, through sort of scientific method. Faith in the market .Central idea of our culture, but still controversial. The power of critical thinking. Only limits on press are defamation, obscenity, sedition.