Printing Painful Truths: The Zenger Trial (Podcast)

(Chapter 1: The 1st Amendment Files)

Oct 25, 2022

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What do an 18th Century printing press operator, an 80s hair metal band Britny Fox, and Big Tech Section 230 shenanigans have in common?

Besides all featuring in this episode, they all factor into the debate around free speech, seditious libel, and the 1st Amendment.

John Peter Zenger was a newspaper printer in colonial New York during the 1730s. But when he started running stories about the corrupt Governor of the day (William Cosby) he found his free speech rights being assaulted by a petty tyrant who wanted abject submission to the Crown.

The Zenger Trial would turn out to be a foundational element of the USA's 1st Amendment, and a lesson in resisting State censorship. In turn, this will tie into the topics of press freedom, the founding of the American Bill of rights, and the modern battles over Section 230 protections for social media.

Join Smoke Filled Rooms as we present Chapter 1 of an ongoing, though intermittent series, dubbed 'The First Amendment Files'.

IN SHOW ADS:

Break the Cycle w/ Joshua Smith (Monday's & Thursdays at 730pm CNT)

The Libertoonian on Twitter (and make sure to use the hashtag Inktober2022 when sharing his work)

Libertoonian Website

SHOW DETAILS:

HOST: Gregory Zink (@GregZesq)

EMAIL: smokinggunpod@gmail.com

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