Can developing countries afford a free press?

Developing countries can sure afford a free press. There should be a presumption for this question: a free press would cost developing countries a lot not only on economic but also on social aspects.

I don't think economic reasons will lead to an authoritarian press in developing countries. On one hand, some mass media, such as radios, newspapers and internet, are not too cost for organizations even individuals to run. On the other hand, although a certain newspaper or a TV network should be affected by its boss, different bosses may have inconsistent positions, which somehow maintains the press a public sphere.

Speaking of social or political aspects, it is obviously true that a free press may bring more instability to a country. But on the long run, as one of the basic yardsticks of development, free press should become a part of people's life in developing countries.