In our modern liberal democracy, we expect the press and other media channels to express free opinion without censorship or government intervention. This was not always the case; early newspapers in the colonies existed primarily to promote government views and suppress dissent, particularly among the convict population.

In 1824, the first two uncensored newspapers were published in the colonies. The first was edition no. 422 of the Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen’s Land Advertiser, printed on 4 June by Government Printer Andrew Bent (c. 1791–1851), a former convict. Before publication, all proofs of the newspaper had to be submitted for government censorship. However, tensions arose when Lieutenant Governor Sorrell was replaced by George Arthur. Bent, who was sympathetic to the ideals of a free press, replaced his editor with someone who shared his views and printed the newspaper without submitting proofs for censorship. Arthur resisted, but Bent successfully appealed to the Governor in Chief, Sir Thomas Brisbane. Bent’s newspaper proceeded to criticize the government, and he was eventually dismissed, fined, and imprisoned for libeling the authorities. He continued to publish newspapers critical of the government and private individuals and was repeatedly prosecuted for libel before moving to Sydney in 1839.

The second uncensored newspaper was The Australian, first printed in Sydney on 14 October 1824 and published until 1848. The owners were lawyer Robert Wardell (1793–1834) and explorer, landowner, and lawyer William Charles Wentworth (1790–1872), who brought a printing press and type with them from Britain. The broadsheet championed liberal views and received the approval of Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane, who believed in the freedom of the press. The first edition declared the paper to be “independent, yet consistent—free, yet not licentious—equally unmoved by favours and by fear.”

The two newspapers played a crucial role in establishing the free press in Australia, giving a voice to the disenfranchised and creating a forum for holding the colonial government to account.

This special collection is limited to an edition of 120. It includes two exclusive numbered minisheets and an exclusive numbered sheetlet, all with foiled details.

Features:

• Folder measures 195mm (w) x 245mm (h)
• Minisheets measure 160mm x 95mm
• Sheetlet measures 150mm x 170mm