The Zenger and Cosby court case in New York City in 1735 involved John Peter Zenger, a printer and journalist, who was charged with libel for publishing articles criticizing Governor William Cosby. Zenger's defense, led by lawyer Andrew Hamilton, argued that truth should be a defense against libel charges, a concept that was not widely accepted at the time. The jury ultimately acquitted Zenger, setting a significant precedent for freedom of the press in America. This case is often seen as a foundational moment in the development of American journalism and legal standards regarding libel.
Almost one hundred years later, in 1735, a legal matter tested the patience of the colonists. It started when a New York newspaper criticized the governor, Sir William Cosby. Governor Cosby was very angry and ordered people to burn copies of the newspaper. He also ordered officers to arrest the newspaper's editor, John P. Zenger, for libel (writing or publishing comments that hurt a person's reputation). Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, defended Zenger in court. Hamilton convinced the jury that Governor Cosby was wrong and the court let Zenger go. That trial resulted in freedom of the press, which would later become part of the First Amendment to the US Constitution
The Zenger case established freedom of press.
When John Peter Zenger published an article in 1734 criticizing Governor William Cosby of New York, he was arrested for seditious libel. His trial in 1735 became a landmark case for freedom of the press, as his lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, argued that truth should be a defense against libel charges. Zenger was acquitted, setting a precedent that would influence the development of First Amendment rights in the United States. This case highlighted the importance of a free press in holding government officials accountable.
massachusetts
If Zenger had lost his case, my news media different about history, politics and society, and publishing now.
freedom of the press
The Zenger Case was a trial that involved the colonial government and a publisher named John Paul Zenger. He was accused of printing false information. Although the judge in the case tried to force the jury into a guilty verdict, the jury actually found Mr. Zenger to be innocent on all of the charges brought against him.
john peter zenger... i just looked it up in my history book so 99.9% sure that's the right answer... :)
John Peter Zenger's trial established freedom of the press in America.John Peter Zenger became a printer and publisher. His newspaper, the Weekly Journal, carried articles criticizing the royal governor, William Cosby. Angered by these attacks, Cosby ordered Zenger's arrest. At his trial in 1735, Zenger was defended by Andrew Hamilton of Philadelphia, one of the ablest lawyers of the time. He argued that a paper had the right to publish anything that was true. The jury ruled Zenger was not guilty, and he was freed. His case strengthened freedom of the press in the colonies.- These words are taken from a United States History publication by Paul M. Roberts and Paula A. Franklin.
The Zenger case was a hallmark liable case, wherein truth was established as a defense. In other word, if what you print is true, no matter how unflattering, if it can be proven, is printable.
The Crown v. Peter Zenger, New York, November 2, 1734
john peter zenger