Joseph Howe: The Tribune of Nova Scotia

Name: Joseph Howe: The Tribune of Nova Scotia
Genre: History
Released: 1961-01-01
Duration: 28 min
Rating: 10
Cast: James Barron, Ursula Dapery, Henry Gamer, William Ferguson, Art Samuels

10.0 (1)1961-01-0128m

History

Overview

This short drama is a portrait of Nova Scotian journalist and politician Joseph Howe (1804-1873) and his battle for freedom of press. When, in 1835, Howe was accused of seditious libel, no lawyer dared defend him. Choosing to defend himself, he addressed the jury for over 6 hours, urging jurors to leave an unshackled press as a legacy to their children. Though the judge instructed the jury to find Howe guilty, jurors took only 10 minutes to acquit him - a landmark event in the evolution of press freedom in Canada.