V. I. Lenin

For the bourgeoisie, freedom of the press meant freedom for the
rich to publish and for the capitalists to control the newspapers, a practice which in all countries, including even
the freest, produced a corrupt press.

For the workers’ and peasants’ government, freedom of the press means liberation of the press from capitalist
oppression, and public ownership of paper mills and printing
presses; equal right for public groups of a certain size (say,
numbering 10,000) to a fair share of newsprint stocks and a
corresponding quantity of printers’ labour.

As a first step towards this goal, which is bound up with the
working people’s liberation from capitalist oppression, the
Provisional Workers’ and Peasants’ Government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to look into the ties between
capital and periodicals, the sources of their funds and
revenues, the list of their donors, covers for their deficits,
and every other aspect of the newspaper business in general. Concealment of books, accounts or any other documents
from the Commission of Inquiry, or the giving of any evidence
known to be false shall be punishable by a revolutionary court.

All newspaper owners, shareholders, and all members of their
staffs shall be under the obligation to immediately submit
written reports and information on the said questions to the
Commission of Inquiry, probing the ties between capital
and the press, and its dependence on capital, at Smolny
Institute, Petrograd.

The following are appointed to serve on the Commission of
Inquiry: [Follows space for list of names—Ed.]

The Commission shall have the power to co-opt members, call
experts, subpoena witnesses, order the presentation of all
accounts, etc.