History of Journalism August 29,2007

America’s First Newspapers One sheet One sheet Letters, essays—very little news Letters, essays—very little news First American newspaper: First American newspaper: Publick Occurrences Publick Occurrences Stopped after only one issue because British colonial authorities didn’t like what was printed Stopped after only one issue because British colonial authorities didn’t like what was printed

America’s First Newspapers The Boston News-Letter was the first continuously published newspaper in the colonies. The Boston News-Letter was the first continuously published newspaper in the colonies. It was supervised very closely by the British government. It was supervised very closely by the British government.

The Boston News-Letter

Freedom of the Press In the colonies, any paper that criticized the government was guilty of sedition (the stirring of rebellion). In the colonies, any paper that criticized the government was guilty of sedition (the stirring of rebellion). Famous case: 1735 Famous case: 1735 John Peter Zenger, publisher of the New York Weekly Journal was arrested for printing articles critical of the governor. John Peter Zenger, publisher of the New York Weekly Journal was arrested for printing articles critical of the governor. The colonial jurors found him not guilty of sedition—a major turning point in the fight for freedom The colonial jurors found him not guilty of sedition—a major turning point in the fight for freedom

Birth of a Nation By 1775 (when the Revolution began), 37 newspapers were being published in the colonies. By 1775 (when the Revolution began), 37 newspapers were being published in the colonies. Most newspapers backed the Patriots and were in favor of the Revolution. The newspapers were partisan at that time. Most newspapers backed the Patriots and were in favor of the Revolution. The newspapers were partisan at that time. Tory newspapers: supported the British Tory newspapers: supported the British Whig newspapers: supported the Revolution Whig newspapers: supported the Revolution Some historians say there would not have been a Revolution without the support of the press. Some historians say there would not have been a Revolution without the support of the press.

First Amendment The Constitution makes no mention of the Freedom of the Press The Constitution makes no mention of the Freedom of the Press But the freedom of the press is addressed in the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights: But the freedom of the press is addressed in the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights: “Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” “Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”

Penny Press Forerunner of today’s newspapers Forerunner of today’s newspapers “Penny press” newspapers (such as the New York Sun and The New York Tribune) were sold for a penny and included real news—the police beat, natural disasters, etc.—and fewer opinions “Penny press” newspapers (such as the New York Sun and The New York Tribune) were sold for a penny and included real news—the police beat, natural disasters, etc.—and fewer opinions The “penny press” achieved a huge audience, made up mostly of the working class The “penny press” achieved a huge audience, made up mostly of the working class Advertising played a major role Advertising played a major role Not unusual for a city to have eight or nine competing newspapers Not unusual for a city to have eight or nine competing newspapers

The Telegraph In 1861, reporters at Civil War battle sites began using the telegraph to transmit their news stories In 1861, reporters at Civil War battle sites began using the telegraph to transmit their news stories This led to more concise writing This led to more concise writing The telegraph led to the formation of the first news-gathering service (a forerunner of the Associated Press). Newspapers subscribed to this service. The telegraph led to the formation of the first news-gathering service (a forerunner of the Associated Press). Newspapers subscribed to this service.

Early telegraph

Yellow Journalism Late 1800s Late 1800s Unethical, irresponsible journalism that involved hoaxes, altered photographs, screaming headlines (like today’s tabloids) Unethical, irresponsible journalism that involved hoaxes, altered photographs, screaming headlines (like today’s tabloids) Sensationalism Sensationalism Geared at selling papers Geared at selling papers Most notable yellow journalists: Most notable yellow journalists: William Randolph Hearst—New York Journal William Randolph Hearst—New York Journal Joseph Pulitzer—New York World Joseph Pulitzer—New York World

Yellow Journalism Spanish-American War: Hearst to Photographer: “You supply the pictures; I’ll supply the war.”

Nellie Bly One of the most famous female journalists (wrote during the late 1800s) One of the most famous female journalists (wrote during the late 1800s) Noted for her “stunts”—stories in which she was the one making the news Noted for her “stunts”—stories in which she was the one making the news Famous story: Famous story: She pretended she was mentally ill and was committed to New York’s Blackwell Island Asylum She pretended she was mentally ill and was committed to New York’s Blackwell Island Asylum Later wrote a story exposing the asylum’s poor conditions, and the story sparked reforms around the country Later wrote a story exposing the asylum’s poor conditions, and the story sparked reforms around the country

Nellie Bly, investigative journalist

Investigative Journalism After the era of yellow journalism, newspapers became crusaders for social causes After the era of yellow journalism, newspapers became crusaders for social causes Child labor laws, public health, poverty assistance Child labor laws, public health, poverty assistance Investigative reporters were called “muckrakers” by their critics Investigative reporters were called “muckrakers” by their critics Government made several reforms—including a reform of the meat-packing insdustry—as a result of the investigative pieces published in newspapers and magazines Government made several reforms—including a reform of the meat-packing insdustry—as a result of the investigative pieces published in newspapers and magazines

Minority Media The Chicago Defender, founded in 1905 The Chicago Defender, founded in 1905 influential African-American newspaper influential African-American newspaper Founder, Robert S. Abbott, was the son of slaves Founder, Robert S. Abbott, was the son of slaves African-American magazines continue to prosper today African-American magazines continue to prosper today Hispanic, Native American, and Asian-American newspapers also are published Hispanic, Native American, and Asian-American newspapers also are published Major newspapers and news networks are making a strong effort to attract minority reporters Major newspapers and news networks are making a strong effort to attract minority reporters

Technology Radio: Radio: First news broadcast in 1916 First news broadcast in 1916 NBC formed in 1926 and CBS in 1927 NBC formed in 1926 and CBS in 1927 Television: Television: First television newscast in 1940 First television newscast in 1940 Because of TV news, most newspapers don’t put as much emphasis on “breaking news” Because of TV news, most newspapers don’t put as much emphasis on “breaking news” They now try to provide the background on current events that readers didn’t get from the television They now try to provide the background on current events that readers didn’t get from the television Internet: Internet: An option for obtaining news and information with the click of a mouse An option for obtaining news and information with the click of a mouse