John Peter Zenger was the editor and the printer for the New York Weekly Journal in America. He was a German immigrant and he attacked the New York Governor William Crosby for being corrupt. He disagreed with the Governor's actions including removal of the Chief Court Justice Lewis Morris and the prosecution of the Interim Governor Rip Van Dam. He was arrested for Seditious Libel because Crosby was angered.
2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
People thought the charge was unfair because Zenger was charged as being libelous, but they argued that he was stating the truth and therefore the charge was inaccurate. Hamilton emphasized this point in defending Zenger and directly targeted the jury, which ultimately led to Zenger being regarded as non-guilty.
3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
It marked the time where the outcomes of libel cases were changed. It solidified that if a statement is true then it is not libelous. It also was a major step for the importance of freedom of speech in America.
4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
The significance of the trial was the fact that newspapers were now allowed to criticize as long as the statements were truthful and they could not be charged. It also gave a new way to handle libel cases and advanced the freedom of speech.
journalism.arizona.edu
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