Press Freedom in Liberia, 1830–1847: The Impact of Heterogeneity and Modernity

Abstract

Using data drawn from Liberia, West Africa (1830 to 1847), this study tested two propositions offered by historian John D. Stevens concerning a possible correlation between legal restrictions on the press and cultural homogeneity on the one hand and a lack of economic development on the other. Although Liberia seemed to meet both criteria suggested by Stevens, an outbreak of social tensions in 1840 did not lead to restrictions on the opposition Africa's Luminary newspaper, despite the existence of a sedition law. In conclusion, it is argued that the week predictive power of these propositions was due large to imprecise definitions of key terms.