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1633 W. Ames Fresh Suit against Human Ceremonies Pref. sig. i4 To which purpose shall he so far prevayle with his Lord BB. that we may enjoy, the use of our books, the liberty of the presse, [etc.].

1680 R. L'Estrange (title) A seasonable memorial..upon the liberties of the presse and pulpit.

1681 W. Denton Jus Cæsaris ii. 1 (heading) An apology for the liberty of the press.

1727 Country Jrnl. 24 June 1/2 The Liberty of the Press, which being the chief Bulwark and Support of Liberty in general, hath been constantly looked on with an evil Eye by wicked Ministers.

1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. xi. 151 The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published.

1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 194 He said, he should always consider the liberty of the press as a national evil, while it enabled the vilest reptile to soil the lustre of the most shining merit.

1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. II. xv. 167 The liberty of the press consists, in a strict sense, merely in an exemption from the superintendence of a licenser.

1859 Harper's Mag. May 848/2 Those who are greatest foes to him, by reason of his despotic action, by reason of his curtailment of all liberty of the press.

1903 in Westm. Gaz. 11 Aug. 8/2 It has been pointed out over and over again,..that the licence of the Press is not the liberty of the Press.

1951 Times 25 July 3/4 There was, therefore, no reason why restriction of the liberty of the Press should be avoided.

2003 A. Craiutu Liberalism under Siege ix. 247 A new public sphere and social power protected by freedom of speech, liberty of the press, and freedom of association.