Transcript Newspapers
3. Newspapers Richard E. Caplan The University of Akron Christopher Burnett California State, Long Beach Toward an Independent Press • Publick Occurences,1690 – Only one issue – 1st American newspaper • Boston News-Letter, 1704 – 1st consecutive American paper • New England Courant, 1721 – 1st independent newspaper – James Franklin • Pennsylvania Gazette, 1729 • New York Weekly Journal, 1733 – Landmark libel suit – John Peter Zenger Massachusetts Historical Society – Most financially successful colonial paper – Benjamin Franklin Truth vs. Libel • John Peter Zenger, 1735 • Jailed for criticizing New York’s royal governor • Charged with libel and “seditious language” – Damaging to reputation – Inciting rebellion • “Truth” Defense – True statements, even if damaging to a person’s reputation, are not libel • Case influenced freedom of press after revolution Women and Colonial Newspapers • Printing families – At least 14 women involved in colonial newspapers • Anna Zenger, 1735 – Continued printing while husband was under trial • Elizabeth Timothy, 1737 – South Carolina Gazette – Sole printer after husband’s death and until son inherited the business Birth of the Partisan Press • By 1750, 14 colonial weekly newspapers • The Stamp Act, 1765 – A tax per printed edition of newspapers – A tax per ad placed in the newspapers • Pennsylvania Journal, 1765 – Famous tombstone edition – Skull and crossbones over the “stamp” The Alien and Sedition Laws • Sedition Act 1798 – Forbid writing against government, Congress or President Adams – $2000 fine and 2 years in jail • Publishers in NY and Massachusetts jailed • Expired after 2 years, not renewed 19th Century Technology • Cheaper newsprint – Cheaper papers • Mechanized printing – Faster production • Telegraph – More immediate news • Broader readership – Newspapers of the 1700s served economic elites in eastern cities – Newspapers of the 1800s expanded to many new readers 19th Century Developments • Frontier Journalism – Gold rush and westward expansion – Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) Bettman/Corbis • Ethnic & Native American Papers Frontier Newspaper Publisher – Immigrant newspapers – Cherokee Phoenix, 1828, First Native American Paper Alternative Press ©Bettmann/Corbis • Abolitionist Freedom Journal, 1827 • Frederick Douglass, North Star, 1847 • The Liberator, 1831 – William Lloyd Garrison Frederick Douglas • Spirit of Liberty, 1844 ©Bettmann/Corbis – Ida B. Wells • Pittsburgh Saturday Visiter, 1848 – Jane Grey Swisshelm – 1st female reporter on Senate floor Mass Readership: The Penny Papers • New York Sun, 1833 – – – – – Benjamin Day Dropped price to a penny, less than half of going rate Sensational news, gossip Sold papers to newsboys who resold for profit Increased reliance on advertising • New York Times, 1851 – Began publishing as a penny paper • Newspapers dominant national media until 1920s Pulitzer and Hearst • Joseph Pulitzer – – – – – Hungarian immigrant St. Louis Post-Dispatch New York World, 1883 First newspaper comics Publicity stunts to increase circulation – San Francisco Examiner, 1887 Joseph Pulitzer – New York Journal, color comics – Competed directly with Pulitzer for readership, employees and content Bettman/Corbis • William Randolph Hearst Yellow Journalism • From Yellow Kid featured in “Hogan’s Alley”comic strip Bettman/Corbis – – – – William Randolph Hearst Gruesome headlines Sensational stories Exaggerated reporting Crime, sex and violence • The World vs. the Journal • Blamed Spanish for sinking of USS Maine, 1898 • Influenced start of SpanishAmerican War Tabloid Journalism • Tabloid – Small format newspaper – 11 inches by 14 inches • Legacy of Pulitzer and Hearst • New York Daily News, 1919 – Crime, sex and violence • Successors to the tabloids of the 20s – Supermarket tabloids – National Enquirer 20th Century Newspapers • Unionization – International Typographical Union, 1850s – Newspaper Guild, 1934 • Competition with Radio and Television news • Revival of alternative press – Vietnam War and 1960s activism • Declining readership – TV’s impact – In-depth coverage – Role of advertising Working for Newspapers • Editorial – Editors • News editor • Sports editor • Editor-in-chief – – – – – Publisher Copyeditor Reporters Graphic artists Photographers • Business – Advertising sales – Circulation – Website/New Media • Newspaper Careers Link Who reads the paper? Illustration 3.1 Internet Newspapers – – – – – Shorter articles for computer Highlights of the day’s news Added graphic features Interactive features Links for more info • Online Newspapers Link jmmelton/motleyimage • Most newspapers have electronic versions • News archives available for fee • Content of online editions National Newspapers • USA Today – Gannett chain – “McPaper” with “McNuggets” of news – News stories run about 600 words – Distributed by satellite to local printing plants – Regional advertising • Each paper has more than 1 million daily readers for print edition Allan Kilgour/mourguefile.com • Wall Street Journal • New York Times • Regional editions Wire Services and Syndicates • Syndicates – Agencies that sell items for publication to many newspapers – Provide columnists, political cartoons and comics • Dave Barry • Dear Abby • Dilbert • Cathy Newspapers’ Future • • • • • Reporters with wireless laptops Photographers with digital cameras Instant electronic transmission News information as digital commodity Satellite Publishing – Regional editions – Localized advertising Emerging Trends • Technological threats to labor – Unions at risk • Newspaper Chains – Declining circulation – Consolidation into national chain ownership jmmelton/motleyimage • Battle for readers – Targeting teens and women – Targeting local ethnic groups • Newspapers and advertising – Continued strong relationship Newspaper Chains Illustration 3.2 Critical Discussion 1. What changes might occur to news in general if newspapers continue to go out of business? AP/Wide World Photos 2. How has technology transformed newspaper production? Has this also had an effect on content?