1. The document discusses the historical development of freedom of the press in America from the early colonial period through the adoption of the First Amendment in 1791. 2. A key event was the 1735 trial of John Peter Zenger, who was acquited of seditious libel charges for his critical newspaper reporting of the colonial governor of New York, establishing the precedent that truth is a defense against libel. 3. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, established freedom of speech and of the press as fundamental rights, protecting independent reporting and criticism of the government.

1. The Rise of a Free Press Cindy Blackwell Food Security Fellows 8 April 2011