WERE IT LEFT TO ME TO DECIDE WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE A GOVERNMENT WITHOUT NEWSPAPERS, OR NEWSPAPERS WITHOUT A GOVERNMENT, I SHOULD NOT HESITATE A MOMENT TO PREFER THE LATTER.

-THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1787.

FIRST AMERICAN NEWSPAPERSThe

THE FIGHT FOR AN

INDEPENDENT PRESS

Benjamin Franklin

ZENGER TRIALThe

John Peter Zenger

Governor William Cosby

Seditious Language

Language that authorities believe could incite rebellion against the

government.

False statement that damages a person’s

reputation by exposing them to public ridicule.

Libelous Statement

STAMP ACTThe

ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTSThe

Allowed the president to imprison or deport aliens who were considered

“dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States.”

Anyone who shall write, print, or publish…false and malicious writing against the

government or its members could be fined and jailed.

Alien and Sedition Acts