Beginnings of Freedom of the Press

In England, no publication was allowed without the accompaniment of a government-granted license. This means that they could control the information in the publication.

In the United States, in 1735 New York journalist John Peter Zenger publishes editorials critical of the British colonial ruling establishment, prompting his arrest on charges of seditious libel. He is defended in court by Alexander Hamilton, who persuades the jury to throw out the charges. As this was a milestone in freedom of the press. It didn’t really have a quick impact.

Before the Stamp Act of 1765, most printers in the colonies treated newspapers as any ordinary printing job. Most of the information in these newspapers included reprints of other publications, stories of local interest, literature, advertisements, and opinions. With the introduction of the Stamp Act, the printers became publishers. Samuel Adams, a radical journalist, roused the people by using the colonial press to resist the Stamp Act, which eventually was repealed. This is considered to be the first time that a newspaper had a substantial impact on the public opinion and actions.

Here is a picture of not Samuel Adams publication, but one just as influential.