JOURN 3000 1stEdition Lecture 5Outline of Last LectureI. Historical explanation Outline of Current LectureI. Colonial pressCurrent LectureColonial Press First newspaper: Publick Occurrences: Both Forreign and DomestickPublished by Benjamin Harris on Sept. 25, 1690Harris opened book and coffee shop in BostonPaper contained foreign and domestic news a prophetic roleRecord of events to bear witness to God’s providence Report intelligence useful in public affairsSort truth from lies, expose ‘treachery’ Paper unlicensed, shut down Boston News-Letter, 1704 News-Letter first continuously published American newspaper Boston postmaster, John Campbell, appointed by crown; paper published by authorityLots of foreign news; commercial and government matters New England Courant, 1721 These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Published by James Franklin Paper embodied adversarial role; (inoculation battle) Paper sought to entertain its audience; included literary fareJames Franklin jailed James’ brother Ben, an apprentice; Ben runs paper when James in jail, writes columns Ben Franklin, Pennsylvania GazetteTakes over paper in Philadelphia in 1729Entertaining essays (Busy-Body Papers) win sizeable readershipAttracts profitable advertising businessWins government printing contractsFranklin sets up other colonial printers Takes over paper in Philadelphia in 1729Entertaining essays (Busy-Body Papers) win sizeable readershipAttracts profitable advertising businessWins government printing contractsFranklin sets up other colonial printers Zenger Trial, 1734-35Gov. William Cosby appointed colonial governor of New YorkFaction opposed to CosbyJohn Peter Zenger set up by faction to publish New York Weekly Journal, 1733The paper is ordered burnedCosby has Zenger arrested for seditious libel (criticism of the government, leading to unrest) Zenger’s attorney, Andrew Hamilton, argues truth as a defenseJury acquits ZengerZenger trial does not change libel lawGovernment backs down in face of public opinion Principle: Right to criticize officials a main pillar of press
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