01.02: Evolution of American Journalism
In this lesson I learned about the history of American Journalism, and a lot about how it has changed over time. From 1600's all the way to the 21st century, Journalism has been a huge part of our society. Many would probably think, "What? You mean newspapers? Nobody reads those!" Well, newspapers aren't the only forms of journalism. That magazine article on the top ten most dangerous diets? That was written by a journalist. Heard about the recent VMA performances on the radio? That's a form of journalism too. Journalism has progressed rapidly over the past centuries and continues to change. It makes up a good portion of our media too; television, radio, magazines, it's how we get our daily dose of what's going on in the world, and it's been around for centuries.
Poor Richard's Almanack, published by Benjamin franklin was one of most popular newspapers in the mid 1700s, making Benjamin Franklin an even more popular and successful man. Other examples of early journalism are The Pennsylvania Gazette (another from Franklin), Publick Occurrences, Cherokee Phoenix, New York Harold & the Tribune, and the ever popular New York Times. But newspapers weren't the only way to get up to date on current events back then. There was also radio, and the very creative photojournalism. After all, they say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Though journalism was very different back then, it was also very complex. Due to technologies like the computer not existing yet, everything had to be put together by hand. Just imagine all those long hours of the day and night spent sitting in front of the typewriter; and if a single error was made you'd have to start the process all over again! Talk about tough, but back then they did what had to be done.
Journalism is only able to exist thanks to a little thing called the The First Amendment. If you were to look at the constitution, you'd see that the Bill of Rights doesn't protect any private establishments, only journalism. We have freedom of speech thanks to this amendment, and are able to share our views with the world. Because the government protects journalists, they are protecting the people as well. So the next time you get onto facebook or twitter to like or comment on your friend's awesome status, or you turn on the the television to your favorite news program, remember our founding fathers. I believe the great Oscar Wilde put it best when he said "In America the President reigns for years, and Journalism governs for ever and ever".
Journalism is only able to exist thanks to a little thing called the The First Amendment. If you were to look at the constitution, you'd see that the Bill of Rights doesn't protect any private establishments, only journalism. We have freedom of speech thanks to this amendment, and are able to share our views with the world. Because the government protects journalists, they are protecting the people as well. So the next time you get onto facebook or twitter to like or comment on your friend's awesome status, or you turn on the the television to your favorite news program, remember our founding fathers. I believe the great Oscar Wilde put it best when he said "In America the President reigns for years, and Journalism governs for ever and ever".
