Saturday, September 10, 2011

LAD#2: Peter Zenger

1) Who was John Peter Zenger?
The hired printer of the New York Weekly Journal, who in 1733 criticized the corrupt policies of NY Colonial Governor William Cosby. He served an apprenticeship to William Bradford after arriving in New York from Germany in 1710.

2) What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
Cosby accused Zenger's articles to be "scandalous, virulent" and "false", arresting him under charges of seditious libel. His defense lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, admitted that Zenger had published the articles but argued that unless it was false the publications could not be considered libel.


3) What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
It was an early instance defending freedom of press; if a statement, no matter how derogatory, can be proved, then it cannot be considered libelous. It was also an example of a precedent; that is, an act or decision that serves as a formal guide for future situations of the same nature.


4) What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
Besides the influence on American governmental tradition regarding freedom of press and stating that truth was a defense against charges of libel, since Hamilton mainly appealed to the jury, it also set the precedent against tyranny by the judge.

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