Class Response: The Importance of Zenger

John Peter Zenger published a reputation-destroying, career-hurting, and totally true article about a governor. He was then sued for his totally true report. You would think that the power governor would have won against the lowly reporter, but he didn't. This is the first sign of America's potential for total freedom of speech (assuming it's not liable). Not only did this case pave the way for freedom of speech, but it's also what pushed journalist to become government watchdogs too. Before this case, a journalist had to live in fear of publishing an article about the misuse of power. No matter how true, the article would be thought as as an "act against god". But after the Zenger Case, this was not longer an issue because not the truth was the ultimate defense against a slander charge. This case is what made journalism what it is today.