LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

John Peter Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

He was a German immigrant who had served an apprenticeship under the printer of the New York Gazette. He later became the printer and editor of the newspaper The New York Weekly Journal, which was established as an opposition newspaper to Governor William Cosby. Zenger published articles that were critical of Cosby and his corrupt actions to gain more political influence, such as replacing the Chief Justice Lewis Morris with someone who agreed more with his views. Cosby condemned these newspaper articles as "scandalous, virulent, false, and seditious reflections."

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

Zenger was arrested and thrown in jail under charges of seditious libel. He went to Philadelphia for his trial, defended by Andrew Hamilton. It was argued that just because these negative articles were published that they would be enough evidence to convict Zenger, but Hamilton appealed directly to the jury that the statements weren't libel if they could be proved. The jury then shortly after acquitted him.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

The outcome of Zenger's trial displayed that if a certain statement is true, then it can't possibly be libel, and made the truth an effective defense against accusation of being libelous. This would help to change the outcomes of future cases with accusations similar to these.

4. What is the lasting significance of this trial? Explain.

It was a landmark victory for freedom of the press, and guaranteed that newspapers could be allowed to print slanderous articles as long as what they were saying was true. Libel trials were also influenced by changing how libel was categorized.