Zenger

Since the trial of New York printer John Peter Zenger in 1735, freedom of the press has been a foundational element in the success of the American experiment.

He depicted Alexander Hamilton defending John Peter Zenger in a libel trial in New York in August 1735.

Zenger did not deny publishing the articles.

For instance, in 1735, a journalist and printer named John Peter Zenger was charged with libel for publishing articles critical of New York’s colonial governor.

Zenger News’ David Martosko called the speech “the definition of ‘word salad.’”