LAD #2- Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
Peter Zanger was publisher of the New York Journal, a publication that stood up against the then governor Cosby around the 1730s.
2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
Cosby charged Zenger with a libel suit and Zenger was imprisoned for 8 months. His defense was headed by Hamilton. In the end Hamilton appealed to the jury and Zenger was found not-guilty. He argued that Zenger could not be guilty of libel if he written the truth.
3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
It was decided at this hearing that a statement-even if it is defamatory cannot be considered libel if the statement is found to be true. It was a milestone case for freedom of the press. Also it was a landmark case for the little guy-it showed that the judicial system could not intimate in a libel case.
4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
Today our press has the ability to say and print almost anything and very rarely is they brought on libel charges. The press does not need to worry about offending powerful people and facing consequences unless the facts they report are truly libel.