Joseph Howe: The Tribune of Nova Scotia

Joseph Howe: The Tribune of Nova Scotia

  • Overview
  • Cast
  • Crew

Status

Released

Release Date

Jan 1, 1961

Runtime

0h 28m

Genres

History

Original Title

Joseph Howe: The Tribune of Nova Scotia

Production Companies

ONF | NFB

Director

Julian Biggs

Description

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.