History of History of JournalismJournalism

August 29,2007August 29,2007

America’s First America’s First NewspapersNewspapers

One sheetOne sheet Letters, essays—very little newsLetters, essays—very little news First American newspaper:First American newspaper:

Publick Occurrences Publick Occurrences 16901690 Stopped after only one issue because Stopped after only one issue because

British colonial authorities didn’t like British colonial authorities didn’t like what was printedwhat was printed

America’s First America’s First NewspapersNewspapers

The Boston News-LetterThe Boston News-Letter was the was the first continuously published first continuously published newspaper in the colonies. newspaper in the colonies.

It was supervised very closely by the It was supervised very closely by the British government. British government.

The Boston News-LetterThe Boston News-Letter

Freedom of the PressFreedom of the Press

In the colonies, any paper that In the colonies, any paper that criticized the government was guilty criticized the government was guilty of sedition (the stirring of rebellion). of sedition (the stirring of rebellion).

Famous case: 1735Famous case: 1735 John Peter Zenger, publisher of the John Peter Zenger, publisher of the New New

York Weekly JournalYork Weekly Journal was arrested for was arrested for printing articles critical of the governor.printing articles critical of the governor.

The colonial jurors found him not guilty The colonial jurors found him not guilty of sedition—a major turning point in the of sedition—a major turning point in the fight for freedomfight for freedom

Birth of a NationBirth of a Nation

By 1775 (when the Revolution began), 37 By 1775 (when the Revolution began), 37 newspapers were being published in the newspapers were being published in the colonies. colonies.

Most newspapers backed the Patriots and Most newspapers backed the Patriots and were in favor of the Revolution. The were in favor of the Revolution. The newspapers were partisan at that time. newspapers were partisan at that time. Tory newspapers: supported the BritishTory newspapers: supported the British Whig newspapers: supported the RevolutionWhig newspapers: supported the Revolution

Some historians say there would not have Some historians say there would not have been a Revolution without the support of the been a Revolution without the support of the press. press.

First AmendmentFirst Amendment

The Constitution makes no mention The Constitution makes no mention of the Freedom of the Pressof the Freedom of the Press

But the freedom of the press is But the freedom of the press is addressed in the First Amendment in addressed in the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights:the Bill of Rights: ““Congress shall make no law . . . Congress shall make no law . . .

abridging the freedom of speech, or of abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”the press.”

Penny PressPenny Press Forerunner of today’s newspapersForerunner of today’s newspapers ““Penny press” newspapers (such as the Penny press” newspapers (such as the New New

York Sun York Sun and and The New York TribuneThe New York Tribune) were ) were sold for a penny and included real news—the sold for a penny and included real news—the police beat, natural disasters, etc.—and fewer police beat, natural disasters, etc.—and fewer opinionsopinions

The “penny press” achieved a huge audience, The “penny press” achieved a huge audience, made up mostly of the working classmade up mostly of the working class

Advertising played a major roleAdvertising played a major role Not unusual for a city to have eight or nine Not unusual for a city to have eight or nine

competing newspaperscompeting newspapers

The TelegraphThe Telegraph

In 1861, reporters at Civil War battle In 1861, reporters at Civil War battle sites began using the telegraph to sites began using the telegraph to transmit their news storiestransmit their news stories

This led to more concise writingThis led to more concise writing The telegraph led to the formation of The telegraph led to the formation of

the first news-gathering service (a the first news-gathering service (a forerunner of the Associated Press). forerunner of the Associated Press). Newspapers subscribed to this Newspapers subscribed to this service. service.

Early telegraphEarly telegraph

Yellow JournalismYellow Journalism Late 1800sLate 1800s Unethical, irresponsible journalism that Unethical, irresponsible journalism that

involved hoaxes, altered photographs, involved hoaxes, altered photographs, screaming headlines (like today’s screaming headlines (like today’s tabloids)tabloids)

SensationalismSensationalism Geared at selling papersGeared at selling papers Most notable yellow journalists:Most notable yellow journalists:

William Randolph Hearst—New York William Randolph Hearst—New York JournalJournal Joseph Pulitzer—New York Joseph Pulitzer—New York WorldWorld

Yellow JournalismYellow Journalism

Spanish-American War:

Hearst to Photographer:

“You supply the pictures; I’ll supply the war.”

Nellie BlyNellie Bly

One of the most famous female journalists One of the most famous female journalists (wrote during the late 1800s)(wrote during the late 1800s)

Noted for her “stunts”—stories in which Noted for her “stunts”—stories in which she was the one making the newsshe was the one making the news

Famous story: Famous story: She pretended she was mentally ill and was She pretended she was mentally ill and was

committed to New York’s Blackwell Island committed to New York’s Blackwell Island AsylumAsylum

Later wrote a story exposing the asylum’s poor Later wrote a story exposing the asylum’s poor conditions, and the story sparked reforms conditions, and the story sparked reforms around the countryaround the country

Nellie Bly, investigative Nellie Bly, investigative journalistjournalist

Investigative JournalismInvestigative Journalism After the era of yellow journalism, After the era of yellow journalism,

newspapers became crusaders for social newspapers became crusaders for social causescauses Child labor laws, public health, poverty Child labor laws, public health, poverty

assistanceassistance Investigative reporters were called Investigative reporters were called

“muckrakers” by their critics“muckrakers” by their critics Government made several reforms—Government made several reforms—

including a reform of the meat-packing including a reform of the meat-packing insdustry—as a result of the investigative insdustry—as a result of the investigative pieces published in newspapers and pieces published in newspapers and magazinesmagazines

Minority MediaMinority Media

The Chicago DefenderThe Chicago Defender, founded in 1905, founded in 1905 influential African-American newspaperinfluential African-American newspaper Founder, Robert S. Abbott, was the son of slavesFounder, Robert S. Abbott, was the son of slaves

African-American magazines continue to African-American magazines continue to prosper todayprosper today

Hispanic, Native American, and Asian-Hispanic, Native American, and Asian-American newspapers also are publishedAmerican newspapers also are published

Major newspapers and news networks are Major newspapers and news networks are making a strong effort to attract minority making a strong effort to attract minority reportersreporters

TechnologyTechnology Radio:Radio:

First news broadcast in 1916First news broadcast in 1916 NBC formed in 1926 and CBS in 1927NBC formed in 1926 and CBS in 1927

Television:Television: First television newscast in 1940First television newscast in 1940 Because of TV news, most newspapers don’t Because of TV news, most newspapers don’t

put as much emphasis on “breaking news”put as much emphasis on “breaking news” They now try to provide the background on They now try to provide the background on

current events that readers didn’t get from the current events that readers didn’t get from the televisiontelevision

Internet:Internet: An option for obtaining news and information An option for obtaining news and information

with the click of a mousewith the click of a mouse