FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
UPHELD IN AMERICA. HISTORIC DECISION. WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. In a sweeping opinion, the Supreme Court to-day unanimously reversed the Louisiana State tax on the gross receipts of newspapers and enunciated a doctrine of the constitutional guarantee of the freedom of the Press which is destined to rank as one of the historic documents in American history. The tax, which was one of the late Senator Huey Long’s measures, and aimed not only to secure revenue but also to give him a measure of control over the Press of the State, was declared unconstitutional. Mr Justice Sutherland, in a written judgment, said the tax had “a long history of hostile misuse against the freedom of the Press.” The Court made it clear that it was not intended to except newspapers from any ordinary form of taxation, but only” protect their recognised freedom from attacks cloaked in the guise of taxation, “since informed public opinion is the most potent of all restraints upon Government. Suppression or abridgement of the publicity afforded by a free Press cannot be regarded otherwise than with grave concern.”
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 63, 12 February 1936, Page 7
Word Count
185FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 63, 12 February 1936, Page 7
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