The long-awaited Leveson report is set for release on Thursday afternoon. Speculation has it that Lord Leveson may push for state regulation over the media in the wake of the scandals for which the inquiry was implemented.

Yesterday, however, foreign secretary William Hague, who says he has not seen an advance copy of the report, affirmed his support for the freedom of the press on BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show. Other prominent politicians, including Mayor of London Boris Johnson, have followed suit.

Hague says, “None of us have seen the report yet. So, although I'm a big supporter of the freedom of the press, I'm also a big supporter of actually reading something before you pronounce on it. We will have to do that, but in my case, from that philosophical viewpoint...you have to err on the side of freedom.”

Hague’s comments come at a time when the lines have been drawn regarding what Leveson will suggest. Some dread the possibility of stricter government oversight over the media, others find the News of the World scandal a touchstone marking the need for regulation.

Johnson said on a trip to India, “I am a bit nervous we are heading in the opposite direction to many other countries in the world which are liberating their press and allowing free speech, and I think statutory regulation is not something that I would support.”

Thursday will tell what the future will be, but for now, the press remains free.