The 'lesser of two evils' narrative states that, when faced with a choice between two imperfect viable political candidates, voters in democracies have an obligation to vote for the preferable of the two, rather than abstain or vote for a non-viable third option.

Principles of liberal media freedom typically dictate very minimal coercive regulation of the media. Where regulation does occur, it occurs indirectly, via civil proceedings like defamation, rather than through state-imposed penalties. Liberal democracy is a democratic system of government in which individual rights and freedoms are officially recognised and protected, and the exercise of political power is limited by the rule of law.