Seditious libel applied to published written works and it was a severe crime. If someone defamed the Church of England, offended public morale, or attacked the reputation of someone then they could be charged. Its purpose was to police criticism against the king or any other royal authority, whether it was true or not.

During the case Zengers Lawyer convinced the Jury that Zenger was right and that the Governor was a lowlife. The Zenger case is important because it proved that Americans value a free press and the idea that would become law within the creation of the Constitution

Peter Zenger was an owner of a print shop and operator of The New York Weekly Journal. Zenger was accused of seditious libel because he helped publish a wide range of materials criticizing and ridiculing Governor Cosby with The New York Weekly Journal.