Introduction to Mass Media CMST 102 Chapter 3
Newspapers: The Rise and Fall of Modern Journalism The evolution of newspapers as a mass medium parallels changes in American society. We can chart newspapers through the 3 stages: development, entrepreneurship, mass medium.
Colonial Publishing 1690: Publick Occurrences: First paper published in American colonies. Colonial newspapers subject to British censorship. Papers were highly partisan.
Innovation After Public Occurrences was banned, other papers cropped up including Benjamin Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette, which made money by printing advertising.
The New York Weekly Journal Founded in 1733 by the Popular Party, the journal attacked British rule. John Peter Zenger was arrested for seditious libel but was later found not guilty. Major turning point for freedom of the press.
Early American Newspapers Were for elites Published by political parties Focused on opinion, not news Expensive, had small circulation Represents the development stage
Penny Press Revolution Benjamin Day’s idea: The New York Sun—“It shines for all.” Sold on the street for one or two cents. Supported primarily by advertising. First papers to focus on “news.” Human Interest stories. Represents the entrepreneurial stage.
Papers become a Mass Medium Rapidly growing number of papers. Growing number of people working for wages. The United States transforming from rural to urban society. Spurred growth in literacy rates People acquire the news “habit.” Penny Papers Wire Services greatly aided in ability to receive and send news.
Newspaper Wars Hearst vs. Pulitzer Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World – Creation of the front page Created headlines with news targeting immigrants and women Stunt journalism
Newspaper Wars Hearst vs. Pulitzer Joseph Pulitzer's New York World was aimed at immigrants, women, labor, and railed against big business.
William Randolph Hearst Hearst’s New York Journal pushed the envelop to gain readership through yellow journalism. It popularized comics, including the Yellow Kid, and sensationalistic stories. Tabloid journalism as we know it today.
Objectivity in Modern Journalism By 1896, the New York Times reinvented news by covering the "facts" on the front page and including editorials in its papers. Sensationalism was downplayed The idea was you could sell more papers that way.
Different forms of journalism emerged Investigative covered complex national & global developments to help readers understand what was going on. Literary or "new journalism" used fictional techniques to tell the story.
Journalism in the Technology Age USA Today was the first daily newspaper to use color to mimic TV Online Journalism – Instead of buying a paper, readers "log on" to a website, or aggregator to get their news.
Categorizing News & U.S. Newspapers Small local papers: Focus on consensus Regional & National: Focus on Conflict Ethnic & Minority Newspapers – African American – Spanish Language – Asian American – Native American – Arab America
The Underground Press Examples
The Economics of Newspapers The newspaper business is in a state of flux today. Challenges include TV, more recently, the overall economy, & the Internet. Papers have gone bankrupt. The survivors have down-sized, cut staff, & tried to survive on-line.
Money In Advertising asksdomed.jpg
Money Out Salaries & Wages /Wire Services & Feature Syndication
Challenges Facing Newspapers Declining Readership Decreasing Competition Joint Operating Agreements Newspaper Chains Going Digital Blogs Citizen Journalism
Newspapers in a Democratic Society What will happen to American traditions if newspapers disappear. Decline of readership has led to the loss of newspaper revenue. Will technology undermine the traditions established by our country’s earliest and most enduring institution?
Page One Inside the New York Times