Malesherbes And Press Freedom

Malesherbes was a prominent aristocrat in the French Old Regime, who underwent the end of the French Old Regime. His publishing thought and the management of the publishing industry had made a profound effect on the progress of French history. Yet unfortunately, the research of Malesherbes and his publishing thought have not formed a hot spot in domestic academia. This paper tries to research the changing process and influences of his publishing thought by using the background and clues of the development of the French publishing industry in the 18th century.The first chapter makes a brief description of the social background, the status of the publishing industry, the censorship and its interior conflict in France in the early 18 century France. It specifies that Malesherbes’early life had an influence in his management policy of publishing industry and his publishing thought, at last it illustrates the fundamental basic reason which leads to his indecisive thought and policy of press are his family background and earlier life experiences.The second chapter focuses on the book supervising theory and police of Malesherbes when he played the role of the director of book trade, and illustrates his protection of the Enlightenment books. This part show that Malesherbes’publishing thought had not then formed into an integral system, and he would like to take administrative measures to manage the publication.The third chapter mainly narrates that Malesherbes’publishing thought became more radical as the publishing industry and Public Opinion moved on. He depicted the blueprint of legalized publication which be under of laws instead of administrations. He preached press freedom and the abolishment of censorship. But he still insisted that the press freedom should not go beyond the Monarchy as his nobility identity and affection to monarchy,.Malesherbes’ dilemma between pursuing press freedom and maintaining royalty comes from his aristocratic identity and the era he was in. Although Malesherbes had never changed his mind in maintaining royalty, which is the dominant theory in his publishing thought all his life, he did turn into publishing legislation thought instead of administrative control. It is helpful for us to well understand the development of the publishing industry, the public opinion and the situation of the whole society at the end of the French Old Regime by researching the essence and change of Malesherbes’ publishing thought.