Journalists:  Need to demonstrate good sense, good judgment, good writing, be poised under pressure, and possess ethical and moral standards. Why? Journalists need to be unbiased and objective in their reporting practices.

Despite the Evolution of the Media, Journalists have Two Key Responsibilities :  1 ) Get it Right!  2) Be Fair!

First Published Newspaper in America:  Publick Occurrences, published in Boston in 1690 by Benjamin Harris.  Harris’ paper was suppressed because of content  Second Newspaper did not emerge until 1704 (14 years later): it’s title was Boston News-Letter, started by John Campbell. It was published “by authority,” meaning the government approved of its content.

The Freedom Press:The Freedom Press:  Citizens critical of these government newspapers were accused of sedition—the stirring of rebellion.  First libel charges: (1735), established truth as a defense against libel charges. Example: In the New York Weekly Journal Peter Zenger printed articles critical of Governor William Cosby. Zenger wrote few of the articles himself, but as the publisher he was arrested on a charge of seditious libel and jailed. The case was consider opened and shut….

The Freedom Press:The Freedom Press:  Andrew Hamilton of Philadelphia, considered by many the finest attorney of the period, defended Zenger.  Then in his eighties, Hamilton was still brilliant and forceful. He stunned the crowd when he said, “I do confess (for my client) that he both printed and published the two newspapers set forth in the information. I hope in so doing he has committed no crime. I hope it is not our bare printing or publishing a paper that will make it a libel. For the words themselves must be libelous—that is, false, malicious, and seditious—or else we are not guilty.”

The Freedom Press:The Freedom Press:  Hamilton appealed to the jury as follows:  “Every man who prefers freedom to a life of slavery will bless and honor you as men who have baffled the attempt at tyranny; and by an impartial and uncorrupt verdict, have laid a noble foundation for securing to ourselves, our posterity, and our neighbors, that to which nature and the laws of our country have given us a right—the liberty both of exposing and opposing arbitrary power (in these parts of the world, at least) by speaking and writing—Truth.”

The Freedom Press:The Freedom Press:  Hamilton was the first lawyer to win a cause of libel against the government, the guilty had all shouted, “Not Guilty”!

The Birth of the Nation:The Birth of the Nation:  The Zenger trial fanned the flames of freedom that were beginning to burn in the colonies at the time.  By 1775, the American Revolution began, and July 4 th continues to mark our independence from the British Crown.  At this time in history, 37 newspapers were being published in the colony.  Most of these papers backed the patriots because of their anger over the Stamps Act (imposed taxes on periodicals) and incited rebellion.

The Birth of the Nation:The Birth of the Nation:  The First Amendment, ratified in 1791, guarantees a free press with words: “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of press.”  After the Revolution, the young nation grew rapidly, and so did the newspaper industry.

The Penny Press:The Penny Press:  Early newspapers carried little actual news. They were filled largely with opinions in the forms of essays, letters, and editorials, plus a few advertisements.  In 1833, Benjamin Day founded the New York Sub, filled it with news, and sold it for only a penny. Day toned down the opinion pieces, and turned up more objective news on major events and tragedies.

The Effects of the Telegraph:  In 1861, during the Civil War, reporters made use of an important invention, the telegraph, to transmit their stories directly from respective battle sites.  Shortly after the telegraph began to speed the reporting of news, the first news-gathering service was formed: Harbor News Association; essentially, a forerunner of the associated press, which began selling news to client papers in  Other such wire services, including United Press International, soon sprang up.  By 1910, there were 2,600 daily newspapers in the United States.

Yellow Journalism:Yellow Journalism:  The late 19 th century saw an era most journalists would rather forget: an age of “yellow journalism.”  The term refers to an unethical, irresponsible brand of journalism involving hoaxes, altered photographs, screaming headlines, “scoops,” frauds, and endless self- promotions by the papers.  Yellow Journalism derives from the name of the Yellow Kid, a cartoon character that appeared in the Sunday World during 1890.

Yellow Journalists:Yellow Journalists:  Most notable of the yellow journalist were William Randolph Hearst, publisher of the New York Journal, and Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of the New York World.  Yellow Journalism saw a shift in color and style of newspapers; there were numerous illustrations, cartoon strips, and dramatic coverage of wars and sporting events.

Nellie Bly:Nellie Bly:  Nellie Bly was the name used by one of the first female journalists Elizabeth Cochrane, who often would become so involved in a story, she would go to extreme stunts to provide the necessary perspective to provide an unbiased account for a story.  For example, One she pretended to be mentally ill and was committed to the New York’s Blackwell Island Asylum for ten days. Her story centered around exposing the poor conditions of the Asylum.

Spanish-American War:Spanish-American War:  Example of yellow journalism: in 1895, Cuba sought independence from Spain. Many forms of print media incited a climate of war, especially surrounding Cuban immigrants in the United States.  Journalist/artist in Cuba cabled Hearst that there was no way and he was coming home. Hearst is said to have wired back, “Please remain, you furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.

Muckracking:  The end of yellow journalism ushered in a period during which American newspapers developed a significant social consciousness.  Many papers crusaded for child-labor laws, promoted hospitals and tuberculosis sanitariums, collected money for the needy, and exposed public grafts.  Critics of the socially-conscious journalists called them muckrackers.  It was a term coined by Theodore Roosevelt, which the reformers came to think of as a term of praise.

Development of Minority Media:  As the nation progressed, minority groups began taking on important roles in American journalism.  1905, the Chicago Defender was the nations largest and most influential African-American newspaper; it was founded by Robert S. Abbott, whose parents were slaves.  The Defender took the lead in encouraging Southern African Americans to move to the North in search of better jobs in that region’s growing industry.

Development of Minority Media:  1945, Ebony was the first African-American magazine and continues to have important staying power in American society.  Essence and Black Enterprise, though newer, exhibit similar staying power; and on television, Black Entertainment Network has also made its presence felt.  Two of the largest Hispanic-American media are the El Diario—Le Prensa in New York City and Diario Los Americas in Miami.

Development of Minority Media:  1828, the Cherokee Phoenix was the first Native- American newspaper.  It was shut down five years later for publishing ideas seen as antigovernment.  Lakato Times is the most prominent Native-American newspaper.  Tim Giago is the most prominent Native-American journalist.

The Advent of Radio:The Advent of Radio:  In 1906, Dr. Lee De Forest made improvements in the vacuum tube that made possible the new medium of radio.  Although no one person invented radio, DeForest’s vacuum tube was the key breakthrough.  1920, regular radio broadcasting began in Detroit  1926, The Broadcasting Company (NBC) was formed and the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) in 1927

The Advent of Radio:The Advent of Radio:  1912, a law was passed that empowered the Department of Commerce to assign wavelengths to license applicants  1927, The Radio Act broadened this power and created the Federal Radio Commission  This was the forerunner of today’s Federal Communication Commission (FCC), which has jurisdiction—though not censorship power—over both radio and television

Shock Jocks and Radio Talk Shows: Currently, radio still occupies an important place among the media. Most stations play music mixed with news. Millions of Americans get their word of major news events from the radio as they drive to work or from work or school. In the 1990s. radio took an unusual turn. Shock-jocks and call-in talk shows began to dominate the air waves, especially on AM Radio. Howard Stern is one of the most famous shock-jocks. He made a career out of being insulting, outrageous, spontaneous, and un- censored; all with the goal of offending their audience to achieve ratings.

Shock Jocks and Radio Talk Shows:  Have wide appeal and stir controversy  Most famous outspoken, conservative hosts are G.Gordon Liddy (a convicted Watergate figure) and Rush Limbaugh  Some American citizens feel their criticism of high- ranking officials and leaders is disrespectful and offensive; others argue that their outspokenness is the finest tradition of American irreverence toward its leaders

Challenge:  If you were a shock-jock, how would you approach some current controversial issues like Police Brutality and unreasonable use of force, or Terrorism in our world. What strategies of “shocking” your audience would be used and why?  Do you think shock-jocks are legitimate journalism, why or why not? Make a sincere case for your position.

The Impact of Television:The Impact of Television:  In the late 1940s, the first television newscast took place.  By the mid-1060s, more than 60 million TV sets were in use; 30 years later, the number exceeded 90 million  Television dramatically changed radio and newspapers. It took much of the entertainment role away from radio and newspaper, and claimed much of the spot- news, or breaking-news, a role traditionally held by newspapers.

Challenge:  Consider how social media has impacted the role of television in our society; often major events and tragedies are first read on social media sites. How else has television been impacted by social media and the Internet?