Un principio conteso. La libertà di stampa nella Francia del Direttorio (1796-1797)

Behind the reassuring narrative that sees freedom of the press as one of the key achievements of the French Revolution lies a much less straightforward historical reality, as evidenced by the intense and protracted debate that erupted between 1796 and 1797 among French representatives about its potential limitations. In the absence of legislation on freedom of the press and on the eve of the coup d’état of 18 Fructidor, V (4 September 1797), the publication of the periodical «Le Conservateur» provides the opportunity to shed light on the complex relationship between journalism, political power and the creation of a particular public order at the dawn of political modernity.