Why did the jury (a group of colonists) decide not to convict John Peter Zenger of seditious libel?

Answer 1

The jury decided not to convict John Peter Zenger of seditious libel because they believed that the truth should be a defense against libel. They argued that Zenger had printed the truth about the colonial governor and that he should not be punished for it. The jury's decision was a landmark in the development of freedom of the press in the United States.