Source: Kongelige Rescripter, Resolutioner og Collegialbreve for Danmark og Norge, 6:1: 1766-1776, Gyldendal, 1786.
Citation:
Rescript on Post-Publication Censorship, Copenhagen (1773), Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), eds L. Bently & M. Kretschmer, www.copyrighthistory.org
Back | Record | Images | Commentaries: [1]
Translation only | Transcription only | Show all | Bundled images as pdf
has been assaulted, town rumours and other indecent stories may be printed in the weekly papers.
The King has noted with great consternation that, despite repeated reprimands and prohibitions to the contrary, such revelations and news often appear in the reports of the Chamber of Deputies, in newspapers and other periodicals. Not only are they inappropriate for such publications, but they also reveal the bad intentions of the author and his lack of knowledge and insight into the matters dealt with. In order to prevent this, it is hereby ordered:
The Chief of Police shall, with the utmost seriousness, announce and make clear to the Adressecontoir of Notices and Newspapers (Adresse-Contoirets Efterretninger og Aviserne), as well as to other weeklies in Copenhagen, that they must absolutely not contain anything that is not in accordance with the associated privileges. Specifically, they must not contain anything dealing about the state and government, public measures, or writings about physical confrontations, especially when a person has been assaulted. Furthermore, they must not include town rumours or other invented stories that contain offensive and distasteful material, etc. In the case of gross negligence, the offender will be held solely responsible and the Chief of Police will immediately impose a fine of between 50 and 200 riksdaler, depending on the nature of the offence. This fine must be paid immediately, without appeal, and if payment is not made, the person will be punished according to the decree of December 1743.
ved angribes, Bye-Rygter og uanstændige Fortællinger (g).
Gr. Kongen har med Mishag fornummet, at der, uagtet de adskillige derimod givne Erindringer og Forbudde, dog ofte bliver, saavel i Adresse-Contoirets Efterretninger, som de trykte Aviser og andre Ugeblade, indført saadanne Bekjendtgjørelser og Efterretninger, som ikke aleene i slige Tidender ei bør have Sted, men endog de fleeste Tiider røbe enten Auctors slette Tænkemaade og onde Hensigt, eller og hans Uvidenhed og liden eller slet ingen Indsigt, eller og hans Uvidenhed og liden eller slet ingen Indsigt i de Ting, der skrives om. Til sligt at forekomme, befales:
Politiemesteren skal alvorlig betyde og tilkjendegive Udgiverne af Adresse-Contoirets Efterretninger og Aviserne, samt andre Ugeblade udi Kjøbenhavn, at de aldeles ikke maae understaae sig derudi i Almindelighed at indføre noget, som ikke i slige Tidender har Sted, eller stemmer overeens med de derpaa givne Privilegier, og især ikke at indføre noget, som enten angaaer Staten og Regjeringen, almindelige foranstaltninger, eller andre Strids-Skrivter, især hvor Personer derved angribes, ei heller Bye-Rygter eller andre opdigtede Fortællinger, som indeholde noget fornærmeligt, eller Uanstændigt, med videre deslige, da, i vidrig Fald, den, som udgiver Aviser eller andre Ugeskrivter, derfor selv skal staae til Ansvar, og strax af Politiemesteren dicteres en Mulct af 50 til 200 Rdlr. efter Forseelsens Beskaffenhed, hvilken Mulct strax, uden videre Appel, skal betales, eller Vedkommende, i Mangel af Betaling, skal afsone samme efter Forordn. af Decbr. 1743.