The document summarizes major events and trends in journalism from World War 2 through the 1990s. During World War 2, the press had unprecedented access to report from the front lines which set a new standard. In the postwar years, television became a new dominant news medium and networks invested heavily in its growth. Iconic journalists like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite emerged as trusted figures. The 1960s saw the rise of "New Journalism" and increased scrutiny of the government during the Vietnam War and Civil Rights era. The 1970s were defined by major scandals like Watergate that were broken by investigative journalists. In the 1980s, media consolidated as corporations prioritized profits over public service. The 1990s saw

1. Information is Power
The Press through the Decades

2. World War II
• FCC forbids new radio & TV stations
• wire services, newspapers & radio
-report daily (dif from prev. wars)
• Edward R. Murrow & his “boys”
-set investigative standard
-”paint a picture with words”
• Life provides visuals
The 40s

3. Post World War II
• Broadcast network
-poured money into television
• ‘47 Hollywood Ten
-refuse to testify for HUAC
-blacklisted
• ‘48 Chicago Tribune – embarrassed
-Dewey beats Truman

4. Trends
• John Cameron Swayze
-1st news show
• Walter Cronkite
-1st news “anchor”
• Murrow creates TV documentary
-tries to expose McCarthy
• ‘53 Newspaper strike
-lose subscribers to TV
-many never return
• television becomes a news source
-Civil Rights Movement
-Little Rock Central HS
-Jet publishes Till photo
The 50s

5. The 60s
Personalities
• Walter Cronkite
-pre-eminent figure
-JFK assassination
• David Halberstam – NY Times
-critical of US’ Vietnam policy
-JFK tries to have him removed

6. Journalism Changes
• daily Vietnam footage sways public
• “New Journalism” – cross btw literature &
journalism
-1st person accounts
-Tom Wolfe – Electric Kool Aid Acid Test
-Truman Capote – In Cold Blood
• increased scrutiny
-explore relationship btw press & culture
-Nixon publically ridicules press
• Public Broadcast Act ‘67
-PBS, NPR & CPB (Corp. Publ. Broadcast)

7. The 70s
Scandals & the Press
• The Pentagon Papers
-study of US involvement in Vietnam
-Daniel Ellsberg gives files to NY Times
-Gov’t tries to block
• Watergate
-burglary at Dem. Headquarters
-Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein of
Washington Post break story
-unscrupulous methods of Nix. Adm.
-Nixon resigns

8. Trends
• gonzo journalism (Hunter S. Thompson)
-extension of “New Journalism”
-accuracy is subjected to mood
• challenges to gov’t
-idealism increases
-increased enrollment in journalism

9. The 80s
Big Changes
• mergers =corporate approach
-news driven by profit
• deregulation under Reagan
-cable TV (CNN – Ted Turner)
-increase in channels
-fewer restrictions
• magazines target specific audiences
• newspapers drop as costs rise
• Reagan Admin
-uses media
• military invasions – restricted cov.
-Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) (‘83)
-Panama (Operation Just Cause) (‘89)

10. The 90s
Specialization
• Gulf War
-CNN 24/7 coverage
-reporters very limited
• falling rating = end of iconic anchors
• mega corporations (GE, Viacom,
Time Warner & Disney)
-Rupert Murdoch (FOX News ‘96)
-more profit driven
• repeal of “Fairness Doctrine”
-present both sides of issue
-conservative talk radio (Rush
Limbaugh)
• internet
-news on demand
-major shift in media function