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Article
Saving the Press Clause from Ruin: The Customary Origins of a 'Free Press' as Interface to the Present and Future
Utah Law Review
  • Kevin F O'Neill, Cleveland State University
  • Patrick J. Charles
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Keywords
  • First Amendment,
  • liberty of the press,
  • freedom of the press,
  • free press,
  • constitution,
  • history,
  • originalism,
  • textualism,
  • intellectual history,
  • press as technology
Disciplines
Abstract

Based on a close reading of original sources dating back to America's early colonial period, this article offers a fresh look at the origins of the Press Clause. Then, applying those historical findings, the article critiques recent scholarship in the field and reassesses the Press Clause jurisprudence of the Supreme Court. Finally, the article describes the likely impact of its historical findings if ever employed by the Court in interpreting the Press Clause.

Comments

Prepublication version is on SSRN.

Citation Information
Kevin F. O'Neill, Saving the Press Clause from Ruin: The Customary Origins of a 'Free Press' as Interface to the Present and Future 2012 Utah Law Review 1691.