LAD #2: Zenger Questions

1. Who was John Peter Zenger? Zenger was the printer for the New York Weekly Journal, a newspaper in NYC. He began exposing corrupt practices of the British colonial government, and in Zenger's time, criticism of the British government was treason, a serious crime. His trial was extremely liberal.
2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense. In 1735, Zenger was charged with seditious libel. He was defended by Philadelphia lawyer, Andrew Hamilton. The prosecutors stated that the publication enough in the newspaper was enough to convict and he excluded the truth from the evidence stated. Hamilton gave up the information that Zenger did indeed write and publish the stories about the British, however, it he denied it was libel unless it was false. Zenger was found not guilty after a convincing defensive argument by Hamilton.
3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition? Zenger, was found not guilty in this landmark case which established certainty as a defense against slander and was a victory for freedom of the press. It also set a precedent against judicial tyranny in libel suits.
4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain. Founded in 1982, Zenger News Service began distributing news and information in the United States. In early 1998, ZNS expanded its distribution to include customers in 35 foreign countries. Zenger News Service hopes to help this generation of Americans better appreciate John Peter Zenger's significant contribution to our personal freedom and national prosperity. Our press freedom helps us learn about and retain all of our other freedoms, and America's world-famous freedom of the press today is greatly a result of the heroism shown by John Peter Zenger in 1735.