Background
The Freedom of the Press is the first and oldest amendment. It is essential to the democracy of the United States of America. It gives the people the right to publish their sentiments. Colonial America didn't gain freedom of the press even after they gained their independence. Newspaper, writers, journalists, publishers, and many more could go to jail because they would have been breaking the law for writing or publishing statements that unpopular unwise or untrue. In 1798, the Seditious Act was passed, stating that it was illegal for people to publish criticism of the president or Congress. Thomas Jefferson took away that law when he became president because he thought it took away people's rights to publish their opinions.
James Madison, one of the founding fathers of America, contributed to the Bill of Rights. He included a section explaining the freedom of press. It stated, "The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable." However, when the Bill of Rights was taken in, the 1st amendment replaced Madison's explicit ideas. The 1st amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Overall, Freedom of Press is the main building blocks of our government and political system. It allows the people to share their opinion. The government feeds off of these opinions to make changes. In 1734, the first event occurred to shape the freedom of press. John Peter Zenger printed criticisms of Governor William Cosby. He was charged with seditious libel. Being held for 10 months, he was then put on trial. His jury found him innocent him because what he stated was correct, and he had the right to publish his ideas.
James Madison, one of the founding fathers of America, contributed to the Bill of Rights. He included a section explaining the freedom of press. It stated, "The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable." However, when the Bill of Rights was taken in, the 1st amendment replaced Madison's explicit ideas. The 1st amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Overall, Freedom of Press is the main building blocks of our government and political system. It allows the people to share their opinion. The government feeds off of these opinions to make changes. In 1734, the first event occurred to shape the freedom of press. John Peter Zenger printed criticisms of Governor William Cosby. He was charged with seditious libel. Being held for 10 months, he was then put on trial. His jury found him innocent him because what he stated was correct, and he had the right to publish his ideas.