Think/Pair/Share What does this idea mean? What are some examples? Is this ever a bad thing? Freedom of the Press.

Think/Pair/Share

What does this idea mean? What are some examples? Is this ever a bad thing?

Freedom of the Press

1735 – Zenger publishes statements which

criticize the governor

Libel – the publishing of statements that damage a person’s reputation.

Peter Zenger

At a Council held at Fort George in New York, November 2, 1734. Present: His Excellency William Cosby, Captain General and Governor in Chief, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Harison, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Kennedy, the Chief Justice [DeLancey], Mr. Cortland, Mr. Lane, Mr. Horsmanden.It is ordered that the sheriff for the City of New York do forthwith take and apprehend John Peter Zenger for printing and publishing several seditious libels dispersed throughout his journals or newspapers, entitled The New York Weekly Journal; as having in them many things tending to raise factions and tumults among the people of this Province, inflaming their minds with contempt of His Majesty’s government, and greatly disturbing the peace thereof. And upon his taking the said John Peter Zenger, to commit him to the prison or common jail of the said city and county.

Democracy depends on well informed citizens

The press has a responsibility to keep the public informed of the truth

Wikileaks article

Effects of the Zenger Case

Series of laws passed by English Parliament in

1651 Shipments from Europe to English colonies had

to go through England first. Any imports to England from other colonies had

to come in ships built and owned by British subjects

The colonies should sell key products, such as tobacco and sugar, only to England.

Navigation Acts

If you were a colonist would you like the

Navigation Acts?

Who benefits from these acts?

How do they benefit?

These acts are an example of….

Navigation Acts