1. The Story of Journalism
Chapter one
The Story of Journalism

2. Newsroom Heroes, Legends, and Folklore
Highlights from the history of journalism
Mark Twain, Lois Lane, All the President’s Men, Good Night, and Good Luck
Five myths about reporters
Thirty slang terms for ‘reporter’

3. The Rise and Fall of America’s First Newspaper
1690: Benjamin Harris published the first and only issue of Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestick
Four pages – print on three pages with fourth left blank for citizens to add more news and pass along
Lacked printing license
Accused of containing “doubtful and uncertain Reports”

4. The Zenger Trial and Freedom of the Press
1735: Freedom of the press strengthened in the colonies
John Peter Zenger jailed by governor for libel after printing accusations of corruption
Eventually acquitted
Citizens can criticize government
Libel only occurs when “false, malicious, and seditious” statements are printed
Andrew Hamilton was Zenger’s lawyer

5. Patriotism, Propaganda, and the Revolutionary War
1729: Ben Franklin took over Pennsylvania Gazette, making it the boldest and best paper in the colonies
1765: The Stamp Act imposed heavy tax on printed matter. Editors protested and colonists united in forcing repeal.
Revolutionary discussions heat up. Editors become bolder, exerting political influence and exhorting military action.

6. Patriotism, Propaganda, and the Revolutionary War
By 1775: Isaiah Thomas, publisher of The Massachusetts Spy, demanded independence from England
1776: The Declaration of Independence first appeared publicly in the Pennsylvania Evening Post and was reprinted in 20 other colonial papers
1791: The Bill of Rights provided that “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech or of the press

7. Emergence of the Penny Press
Innovations in printing allow for faster news access:
Cheaper paper
Faster printing
1833: Benjamin Day began selling the New York Sun for a penny a copy, pioneering the idea of ‘mass media’
These newspapers aimed at the interests of the common citizen

8. The Rise of the Modern Newsroom
Newspapers become profitable with ad sales
Hire and train reporters in professional way

9. The Golden Age of Yellow Journalism
Sensational stories
Lavish use of pictures
Comics
Features
Crusades
Publicity stunts
Rumors
Reached climax when William Randolph Hearst (New York Journal) and Joseph Pulitzer (The World) battled for supremacy in New York, the nation’s media center

10. The Golden Age of Yellow Journalism
Hearst, Pulitzer, and the Spanish-American War:
Sensational coverage of Cuban rebels’ fight for freedom
Inflamed readers
Pressured politicians
War was declared
Circulation of newspapers skyrocketed $$$
Where can we see yellow journalism today?

11. News in the Modern Age
Radio and television brought an end to newspapers’ media monopoly
Radio: the first medium to provide 24-hour stream of news coverage
Television journalism: Came of age in the 1960s
1963: Nonstop coverage of the Kennedy assassination
Newspapers’ response to competition:
Tighter writing
Better formatting
Improved design
Corporate consolidation