The (Ab)use of freedom of speech and the 1788 Ismaël-controversy: the legal limitations and affordances of a parodic periodical in the Dutch Republic

Abstract This article highlights a fascinating legal wrestling match over the legal limits of free speech through humorous artistic works in the late eighteenth century – just before freedom of speech became a constitutional right. It concerned the parodic item “Reports from Babel” in an issue of the anonymous Dutch journal Ismaël from 15 September 1788. The city of Utrecht and specific authorities were allegedly targeted who in turn prosecuted the local sellers of these perceived libels, Gijsbert Timon van Paddenburg and Justus Visch. The controversy is studied through the political-historica... Mehr ...