History1 slideshare

History Part 1
COM 13500
Introduction to Journalism

Today’s Concepts
Gutenberg’s Impact
Early Newspapers
What Makes a Newspaper
Ben Franklin – Father of American Journalism
John Peter Zenger and Seditious Libel Laws = Seeds of Press Freedom in Colonial America

“Journalism history is the story of man’s long struggle to communicate freely with his fellow men—to dig out and interpret news, and to offer intelligent opinion in the marketplace of ideas.”
-Edwin Emery, The Press and America

Gutenberg
1453: Johannes Gutenberg invents the printing press
Prints the Bible, which became known as “The Gutenberg Bible”
Great influence on Western culture – seen as “dangerous” by authorities
In 1671 Sir William Berkley wrote home to his government:
"I thank God we have not free schools nor printing, and hope we shall not have for another hundred years. For learning has brought disobedience and heresy and sects into the world and printing has divulged them and libels against the Government. God keep us from both!"

Just for Fun…The Gutenberg Lego Printing Press!
Found On:
Printeresting.org

Early Newspapers
1690, Colonial America
By Benjamin Harris
Banned after one issue
Emphasized “conflict”
and “fear” – a contrast
to other printed materials
of the day.
Wasn’t “licensed” by
authorities
First English language newspaper early 1700’s
Printed in London;
Samuel Buckley – insisted
the paper include “news”,
not just rumors – unprecedented at the time.

Early Newspapers
Boston News-Letter
1704
By John Campbell, a postmaster
First genuine American newspaper
All copy cleared through Governor, and because it was “libel-proof” – it wasn’t very interesting and had few subscribers (300 max)
Though “unimpressive” – became the basis for the Fourth Estate.

Published once a week
Produced by mechanical means
Must be available to anyone willing to pay the price, regardless of class or special interests
Must print anything of interest to the general public, as contrasted with some of the religious and business publications
Must have an appeal to a public of ordinary literary skill
Must be timely, or at least relatively so, in the light of technical development
Must have stability, as contrasted to the fly-by-night publications of more primitive times
Edwin Emery p. 3 The Press and America
Newspaper Qualifications

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Often called the “Father of American Journalism”

Began rise to fame as printer-journalist in 1720’s
Publisher of Pennsylvania Gazette
Made it profitable by incorporating advertising
He made journalism respectable by being interesting, truthful, and business-savvy.
Attracted young, intelligent people to the industry
“If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.”
Often called the “Father of American Journalism”

May 9, 1754 – Pennsylvania GazetteEarliest Known Political Cartoon Ben Franklin

John Peter Zenger Case
1734-35
Thrown in jail for “seditious libel laws” for writing disparaging remarks about New York Gov. William Cosby in the New York Weekly Journal
Jailed for nine months

John Peter Zenger Case
Thrilling trial, packed courtroom – showed public interest in political events of the day.
Famous lawyer, Andrew Hamilton delivers address to jury – it returns a “not guilty” verdict
Trial paved the way for liberty in America
In 1770s, the rebels looked back at this trial as a battle cry for liberty and freedom

Many of the founding fathers were enthusiastic about a free press. Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1787 that "were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
Samuel Adams said in 1768 that "there is nothing so fretting and vexatious, nothing so justly terrible to tyrants . . . as a free press."
History.org

History1 slideshare

by Jill Falk on Aug 30, 2011

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