The History of Journalism
Content
The History of Journalism
Journalism is defined as "the activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines or
broadcasting news on the radio or television." Without writing, the sharing of history and events
that are important would be impossible. Writing also serves the purpose of telling information.
This relates back to the importance of journalism. Journalists serve as news sources of
information to the general public.
Journalism first began with the creation of the first American newspaper in 1690. The Publick
Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestick published by Benjamin Harris began in Boston.
Although it only lasts for one issue, the impact led to other newspapers, and furthered
journalism.
The Penny Press had a huge impact on American journalism. Penny Press papers were cheap, at
only a penny each, tabloid-style newspapers published in the United States starting in the 1830s
and continued on. Being sold cheap, virtually everyone could purchase and read newspapers
offered.
This influenced mass production of inexpensive newspapers, which shifted from handcrafted to
steam- powered printing. The first Penny Press was the New York Sun, which began in 1833.
The Penny Press is considered the first true mass media in America.
Yellow journalism had impact on journalism and news in America at this time. There are a
couple of ways to describe yellow journalism; it can be a biased story that only covers one side
of the story and possibly leaves out detrimental facts. Yellow journalism is also known as a
story strictly written for what many call a "shock factor" and will know have know basis to back
up evidence.
Many stories written during this time were sensationalized, distorted and often misleading.
Opinions were often presented as facts. Yellow journalism impacted the Spanish-American
War, since many events were dramatized around the press. Historians say the war is also known
as the first press-driven war.
Without journalism, news itself wouldn't exist. All these events show how the history of
journalism has developed American news to become what it is today.
Journalism is defined as "the activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines or
broadcasting news on the radio or television." Without writing, the sharing of history and events
that are important would be impossible. Writing also serves the purpose of telling information.
This relates back to the importance of journalism. Journalists serve as news sources of
information to the general public.
Journalism first began with the creation of the first American newspaper in 1690. The Publick
Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestick published by Benjamin Harris began in Boston.
Although it only lasts for one issue, the impact led to other newspapers, and furthered
journalism.
The Penny Press had a huge impact on American journalism. Penny Press papers were cheap, at
only a penny each, tabloid-style newspapers published in the United States starting in the 1830s
and continued on. Being sold cheap, virtually everyone could purchase and read newspapers
offered.
This influenced mass production of inexpensive newspapers, which shifted from handcrafted to
steam- powered printing. The first Penny Press was the New York Sun, which began in 1833.
The Penny Press is considered the first true mass media in America.
Yellow journalism had impact on journalism and news in America at this time. There are a
couple of ways to describe yellow journalism; it can be a biased story that only covers one side
of the story and possibly leaves out detrimental facts. Yellow journalism is also known as a
story strictly written for what many call a "shock factor" and will know have know basis to back
up evidence.
Many stories written during this time were sensationalized, distorted and often misleading.
Opinions were often presented as facts. Yellow journalism impacted the Spanish-American
War, since many events were dramatized around the press. Historians say the war is also known
as the first press-driven war.
Without journalism, news itself wouldn't exist. All these events show how the history of
journalism has developed American news to become what it is today.
