Symposium on the 19th Century Press,
the Civil War, and Free Expression

An Annual Conference on 19th Century Media and Free Expression

Coverage of Three Censorship Episodes Involving

The Baltimore Press

Journalists' Discussion of Freedom of the Press

In Civil War Newspapers in 1861 and 1862

By: Hazel Dicken-Garcia & Giovanna Dell’Orto

ABSTRACT

This paper, about censorship in one city during the Civil War, is

part of a larger study that asks how the First Amendment right of freedom

of press and speech has been treated in relation to "hated" ideas at given

times in history. What have journalists defined and sought as press and

speech freedom rights? What limits have they said were appropriate? Have

those changed over time? With special interest in what free expression

principles might have been articulated, especially for "hated" ideas, in

any such discussion among journalists surrounding the most suppressed

newspapers during the Civil War, coverage in eleven

newspapers of three censorship episodes in Baltimore, MD--September of

1861 and February and June-July of 1862--were examined as a case

study. It was

expected that, because Northern journalists would support the Union

government and Southern journalists would support the Confederacy--as

functionalist theory suggests--press rights of the opposition would likely

be subordinated, ignored,or denied.

Findings show that, while a few journalists from both sections

referred to a press freedom that seemed broad and robust, press freedom

was hardly treated as universal or broadly applicable. The six Southern

newspapers reflected the strongest disapproval of censorship--almost

always about Northern suppression--and, while the Northern journalists

gave less attention to censorship issues, journalists of both sections

showed little tolerance for ideas they "hated."

For additional information contact:

1998 Symposium Program & Abstracts
1997 Symposium Program & Abstracts
1996 Symposium Program and Contacts
1995 Symposium Program and Contacts

Last updated: November 20, 1999