U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for November 17

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17: FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Profile America — Thursday, November 17th.  The beginning of what Americans now take for granted — freedom of the press — started on this date in 1734 with the arrest of John Peter Zenger, a German immigrant who published the New York Weekly Journal.  One of his articles resulted in a charge of libel against the British colonial governor.  During his 10 months in jail, Zenger continued to edit the paper from his cell.  His acquittal in the case is regarded as an important first step toward freedom of the press.  Now, that right is practiced everyday by just under 1,400 daily newspapers, over 39,000 magazines and other publications, more than 14,000 radio stations, nearly 1,800 television stations and more than 6,000 cable systems.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, p. 561

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 1135, 1132, 1134

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for “Multimedia Gallery” by the “Newsroom” button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau