Specific History of Press

Some say that the American ideals of a free press can be traced back to Cato’s Letters, a group of essays criticizing British politics, calling out corruption and tyranny.

The origins of the Free Press in the United States are similar to the origins of Freedom of Speech, the first main event being the libel case brought against John Peter Zenger by William Cosby for the publishing of criticism in a newspaper. Zenger was acquitted, which laid the foundation for a jury to determine whether or not a publication was seditious. This also helped to establish something that had not yet been before established: the freedom to publish whatever one wishes without fear of governmental repercussions.

Obviously, it’s not that simple, but it still set a precedent going forward.

 In 1776, Virginia’s House of Burgesses passed the Virginia Declaration of Rights, claiming that “The freedom of the Press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic Governments.” This was the first legal protection that freedom of the press was given in the colonies.

In 1790, the U.S. Bill of Rights entered into existence, the first amendment becoming federal defense for the press.

Outside of Court Cases, In 1823 Utah passed a criminal libel law that allowed for journalists to be prosecuted under the same charges as Zenger had been charged under, back in 1735. As of 2005, 17 states still have criminal libel laws.