1788-Fall: In the fall of 1788, the French Crown issued urgent orders to abolish every press in Saint-Domingue to prevent the spread of revolutionary ideals.

1788-Fall: In the fall of 1788, the French Crown issued urgent orders to abolish every press in Saint-Domingue to prevent the spread of revolutionary ideals. This move resulted in an effective news blackout that lasted for several weeks as authorities sought to contain the “flame of liberty”. Officials feared that uncontrolled information from Europe would destabilize the colonial regime and incite the unfree population. This attempt at strict censorship reflected the government’s realization of the power of printed news to fuel expectations of change. Despite these measures, the porous nature of the Caribbean ensured that revolutionary currents continued to flow through informal channels.