The first known freedom of the press case in the United States was the trial of John Peter Zenger in 1735
Zenger (born 1697, Germany--died July 28, 1746, New York City) was the printer of a paper called the New York Weekly Journal. The publication spoke out against the corruption of the royal governor, William S. Cosby. Zenger did not write the articles, he merely printed what his sources gave him. When he refused to name the writers, he was thrown into jail.
His famous acquittal in the following libel suit established the first important victory for press freedom in the English colonies of North America.
Zenger (born 1697, Germany--died July 28, 1746, New York City) was the printer of a paper called the New York Weekly Journal. The publication spoke out against the corruption of the royal governor, William S. Cosby. Zenger did not write the articles, he merely printed what his sources gave him. When he refused to name the writers, he was thrown into jail.
His famous acquittal in the following libel suit established the first important victory for press freedom in the English colonies of North America.
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