Newspapers: Where Journalism Begins Chapter Outline History Industry Controversies

Today’s Newspaper Industry The First Newspapers Earliest known written news account/news sheet Acta Diurna “daily events” – ROME 59 BCE Carved on stone or metal Newspapers today Document daily life/big events

Today’s Newspaper Industry The First Newspapers First newspaper, printed from wooden blocks Over 1200 years ago Early 1600s Gutenberg’s printing press (moveable type) Allowed newspapers to be mass produced.

Today’s Newspaper Industry The Newspaper in Early America Publick Occurrences Published in 1690 by Benjamin Harris, First “newspaper” in America. Kidnapping, suicide, & other sensationalism British rule closed down the paper after one issue. Boston News-Letter Published by John Campbell - 1704 First American paper to last more than one issue Started off handwritten, began printing after growth

Colonial newspapers were Political (partisan) Pushed political party agendas Does this happen today? Commercial Served business leaders Economic issues

Editorial Piece The Editorial page Place for properly labeled opinion pieces Originated from the partisan press

Hard News The front page is for Hard news Current event stories that have impact on people’s lives.

Soft News Feature news, also known as soft news, Directed more toward human interest and curiosity.

Papers in early America Faced seditious libel laws Illegal to print negative content about government Small weeklies (about 4 pages) Expensive for majority of people Fought the stamp act “No taxation without representation” Helped gain support for revolution

Penny press Era: Papers Become Mass Media The penny press Created by the New York Sun Published by Benjamin Day Sold for one penny, in 1833. Newsprint Inexpensive paper & steam press helped to rapidly produce copies. Higher literacy helped them sell Information was more accessible Huge circulation Lot’s of advertising revenue Sensationalism

A Brief History of Newspapers Associated Press in 1848 led to a more objective news. (How?) Yellow journalism, Increased competition led to unprecedented sensationalism (What is that?)

Yellow Journalism Yellow journalism Sensationalism Overly dramatic stories Investigative journalism In depth “detective” stories Reached height in the Hearst-Pulitzer wars of the 1890s

A Brief History of Newspapers The first Tabloid was the New York Daily News Sensationalism of the yellow press, abundant use of pictures Tabloid = Smaller, easier to handle, page. What are some current examples of Yellow Journalism What characteristics define a tabloid?

Today’s Newspaper Publishing Industry The Newspapers Most newspapers are local dailies; Strength is presenting in-depth local news, information and advertising not handled as well by other media. Lets see if we can name 6 local daily’s Outside of California, New York, and Washington DC

Consensus vs. Conflict Consensus oriented journalism Small local papers Local issues/govt., social events Conflict oriented journalism Large/National papers Focus on hard news Deviation from social norms

Today’s Newspaper Industry Ethnic press Newspaper aimed at particular cultural groups, has important role in U.S. history. African Americans, Hispanics or Native Americans, Freedom’s Journal, The first black newspaper, was established in 1827.

Today’s Newspaper Industry Alternative papers Provide radical or out of the mainstream viewpoints The Chicano press, which targets Mexican-Americans, Makes up the majority of Hispanic papers.

Ethnic Newspapers

Alternative press Underground press Radical views of politics, questioned the mainstream

Today’s Newspaper Industry There are more than 170 African American newspapers More than 800 Spanish language newspapers Plus a variety of publications targeting Other ethnic groups Subcultures What are some local ethnic papers in (YOUR Area) What some benefits or disadvantages of ethnic/subculture papers?

A Brief History of Newspapers Newspapers have shifted to mostly morning editions. Historically they have adapted to competition from Newsreels Radio Television Cable Internet What do newspapers offer that broadcast news lacks? How did newspapers adapted to each of these? Will Newspapers be able to adapt to convergence? How?

Controversies Lack of Diversity in the Newsroom Does Lack of diversity in Newsroom impact diversity of news presented? Why/Why not? What effect does little or no media representation have on groups not covered?

Minorities in the Media There are many organizations that help promote fairness NABJ NAHJ AAJA NLGJA

Newspaper Operations Advertising The production department Sales reps & layout staff The production department Runs the press The circulation department Arranges delivery to newsstands, homes, stores, and vending machines.

Newspaper ownership Chains losing grip Chains dominated ownership 1900-2000 Circulation drop created sell offs Private and independent ownership Tend to focus on profit May lead to changes in content Impact press freedoms & journalistic integrity

Challenges Declining readership Local/Community papers Blogs Access to online information Local/Community papers Focus on local information Retain loyal readership Blogs Allowed amateurs to present news stories Competed with journalism outlets

Convergence Newspaper move to digital Benefits of digital Slow move due to local monopoly Competition from 24/7 cable news Benefits of digital No space limits More content Breaking news updates Continuous updates/stories Pay walls hurt traffic Online Ads are lagging