RS 29

The best known is the ninth paragraph, which deserves to be quoted. Forsskål’s Tankar final paragraph has the following words on freedom of information as a cornerstone of a good and inclusive society: We are right to honour Forsskål as a philosopher who was among the first to give voice to the important constitutional issues of his time. He foreword 2 Forsskål 2009, 16–17, 22. 3 Ibid. 16 ff. 14 The rule of law. Freedom of religion. 10 11 Property rights, the common good, and employment grounded on objectivity, not privilege. 12 Civil service by merit rather than by privilege. 13 Substantive requirements and assessment criteria for the civil service. Limitations of property rights. Freedom of trade. 14 15 16 Freedom of trade and freedom of movement. 17 Public education. The abolition of the guilds. Intellectual rights and freedoms. Transparency, meaning freedom of information, and freedom of expression. 18 19 20 21 Freedom of the written word develops knowledge most highly, removes all harmful statutes, restrains the injustices of all officials, and is the Government’s surest defence in a free state. …A wise government will rather let the people express their discontent with pens rather than with other guns, which enlightens on the one hand and prevents uprising and disorder on the other.2 Finally, it is also an important right in a free societyto be freely allowed to contribute to society’s well-being. However, if that is to occur, it must be possible for society’s state of affairs to become known to everyone, and it must be possible for everyone to speak his mind freely about it. Where this is lacking, liberty is not worth its name.3

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