The Zenger trial brought up the issue of Freedom of speech. John Peter Zenger was a German immigrant who printed " The New York Weekly Journal.". Writers submitted articles to the journal that criticized a corrupt royal governor. Although Zenger never wrote an article, he still got thrown in jail. Since the writers were anonymous, Zenger couldn't name them. He was charged with libel for publishing information opposing the government. While on trial, his wife kept the presses running and information about the unfairness of Zenger being tried with a "stacked" jury came to the attention to the public. As a result, a true jury of his peers was seated and Alexander Hamilton, the most famous lawyer in America, stepped up to defend Zenger. True freedom of speech did not happen until the passage of the First Amendment, but this was the start.
john peter zenger... i just looked it up in my history book so 99.9% sure that's the right answer... :)
Andrew Hamilton defended him against his trial.
The Zenger Trial in 1735 set a precedent for freedom of the press in colonial America when John Peter Zenger, a printer, was acquitted of seditious libel charges after publishing critical articles about the colonial governor of New York.
He was put on trial for Libel.
It had to do with a lot. But which do you speak of? --6
John Peter Zenger's trial in 1735 established the important right to freedom of the press in the American colonies. Zenger was acquitted of libel charges for publishing criticisms of the colonial governor, setting a precedent that truth could be used as a defense against libel. This trial highlighted the significance of a free press as a check on government power and laid the groundwork for First Amendment protections in the United States.
The trial of John Peter Zenger strengthened the Bill of Rights for Freedom of the Press. Thus increasing the role of the reporter.
Yeah that's right. I thimk who knows they could be lying???
The Zenger trial, which took place in 1735, helped establish the right to freedom of the press in America. John Peter Zenger was acquitted of libel charges for publishing truthful critiques of the colonial governor, demonstrating that the press could not be punished for publishing information that was true, even if it was critical of the government. This trial laid the groundwork for the protection of free speech and a free press, which would later be enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The Supreme Court
Freedom of the Press
You Are There - 1953 The Trial of Peter Zenger 2-27 was released on: USA: 7 March 1954