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first real struggle of the colonial press for freedom of speech against the Government. This case laid the foundation of the liberty of the press in America. In 17 35 John Peter Zenger, at that time editor and publisher of the New York Weekly Journal, which had been established as an organ of the popular cause against the colonial government, was brought to trial for the publication of "false, scandalous, malicious, seditions libels" against the royal government of the colony of New York. Every possible means was employed to secure Zenger's condemnation, but no jury could be found or compelled to return a verdict of guilty.