Freedom of conscience, the existence of an informed public opinion, a system of education of a pluralist nature, freedom of the press, and access to other sources of information, all these are in very short supply in the socialist countries.
Meaning
Sakharov was barred from travelling, so his wife Yelena Bonner read this speech at his 1975 Nobel ceremony. He lists the basics a free society needs: conscience, press, schooling and information. Test your own surroundings by asking which of these you rely on and would defend.
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Speech (1975)
About the author
Andrei Sakharov (1921–1989) was a Soviet nuclear physicist who became a leading dissident and human rights advocate. He received the 1975 Nobel Peace Prize for his defense of human rights and opposition to the abuse of power.
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