MMC 3200 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Sitaonair, Seditious Libel, John Peter Zenger
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Free expression dates back to socrates and plato. Modern history of freedom of the press began in england during the 16th and 17th centuries (freedom of the press in england) Printing press created in 1476 (william caxton had no restrictions, laws on printing) Shortly after he began publishing, the british crown began regulating the printing press. Printing presses made communication with many people fairly easy and thus gave considerable power to small groups or individuals who owned a or could use a press (the british govt. realized that unrestricted publication/printing could threaten its power) Information is a key tool in society and those who control the flow and content of information exercise substantial power. The pri(cid:374)ti(cid:374)g press (cid:271)roke the cro(cid:449)(cid:374)"s do(cid:373)i(cid:374)a(cid:374)(cid:272)e o(cid:448)er the flo(cid:449) of i(cid:374)for(cid:373)atio(cid:374) This money was forfeited if the govt. felt that the material printed should not have been published.
