Sorry for the wall of text. Was trying to point out how the same kind of control freaks and dishonest government we had back then, are still doing the same kind of controlling today. History repeats itself. The OP was about how journalists could be imprisoned for saying "embarrassing" things about the English/UK government. This is how it was almost 300 years ago when our country was under the control of England and their "Royal Governors". Governments and royals don't want "reporters" airing the dirty laundry.
Sorry for the wall of text. Was trying to point out how the same kind of control freaks and dishonest government we had back then, are still doing the same kind of controlling today. History repeats itself. The OP was about how journalists could be imprisoned for saying "embarrassing" things about the English/UK government. This is how it was almost 300 years ago when our country was under the control of England and their "Royal Governors". Governments and royals don't want "reporters" airing the dirty laundry.
It was one of the “Turnings” that we are also currently in. About every 80 years—Revolutionary War, Civil War, WW2, and now. Historic times.