Movie1961Released10.0

Joseph Howe: The Tribune of Nova Scotia

Name: Joseph Howe: The Tribune of Nova Scotia
Genre: History
Released: 1961-01-01
Rating: 10

Release Date

January 1, 1961

Runtime

28m

Language

Director

Julian Biggs

Writers

History

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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.