New York Weekly Journal
Quick Summary
The New York Weekly Journal was an American colonial newspaper established on November 5, 1733. It served as the political voice for a group opposing the policies of colonial governor William Cosby. Although Zenger was the publisher, learned colleagues contributed many articles.1
The Journal gained prominence for its role in the landmark libel case of John Peter Zenger. For a year, the paper published strong criticisms of Cosby, leading to Zenger's arrest for libel in November 1734. After nearly ten months in prison, Zenger's acquittal in August 1735 was a significant victory for freedom of the press in the American colonies. His defense attorney, Andrew Hamilton, successfully argued that the jury should determine the truth of the published statements, establishing a precedent for libel cases.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- John Peter Zenger
…his first issue of the New York Weekly Journal—the political organ of a group of residents who opposed the policies of the colonial governor William Cosby. Although many of the articles were contributed by his more learned colleagues, Zenger was still legally responsible for their content as publisher. For a…
Read More…his first issue of the New York Weekly Journal—the political organ of a group of residents who opposed the policies of the colonial governor William Cosby. Although many of the articles were contributed by his more learned colleagues, Zenger was still legally responsible for their content as publisher. For a…
Read More 
American coloniesRights in the colonies…the royal governor in his New York Weekly Journal, he was arrested for libel. By a spirited appeal to the jury the aged but intrepid Andrew Hamilton, an attorney of Philadelphia, won Zenger’s release on the ground that a fundamental British liberty was at stake. As this case suggests, America…
Read More…the royal governor in his New York Weekly Journal, he was arrested for libel. By a spirited appeal to the jury the aged but intrepid Andrew Hamilton, an attorney of Philadelphia, won Zenger’s release on the ground that a fundamental British liberty was at stake. As this case suggests, America…
Read More