Legal troubles of the forgotten Pomeranian newspapers (1910–1915)

Abstract

In the early twentieth century, the number of newspapers offered to the West Prussia Polish community increased significantly. In smaller towns, outside Gdańsk, Toruń and Grudziądz, numerous newspapers were launched. Their target audience were residents of Starogard, Chojnice, Świecie and Lubawa and the surrounding villages. The newspapers published information regarding the country, province, region and nearest towns. However, the editorial staff of “Nasza Gazeta”, “Gazeta Chojnicka”, “Gazeta Święcka” and “Głos Lubawski” soon faced serious legal trouble with the German justice. Cases against the editors-in-chief of these periodicals were brought to court 11 times. During the trials the editors were accused of insults and violence incitement. As a result, they were fined with nearly two thousand marks of financial penalty.  Seven editors were brought to court for trial.