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The Evening Journal and upcoming war

Posted by: | September 25, 2012 | No Comment |

I enjoyed the history of the Albany Evening Journal, solely because of its transformation from a party newspaper to a proponent for the Civil War.  

Thurlow Weed started the production of the “Albany Evening Journal” in New York as a medium to promote the Anti-Masonic Party, the first single-issue “third” party in the United States, back in 1830.  Weed made the “Evening Journal” the leading and most highly circulated political newspaper in the U.S. during the 1840s.   The Evening Journal became an organ for the Whig Party and after 1856 a Republican newspaper.

Courtesy of antiqbook.com

Over the years, the newspaper began reporting and responding to events that involved the issue of slavery.  In 1857, the “Evening Journal” published articles and editorials about the Supreme Court decision in the Dred Scott case.  The newspaper wrote in one editorial, “All who love Republican institutions and who hate Aristocracy, compact yourselves for the struggle that threatens your liberty…”

The editorial on the raid of Harper’s Ferry on Oct. 9, 1859 described the attempt at a slave revolt by John Brown and his men an act of treason against the U.S., but also went on to say that “those whose sense of justice was blunted by deep passion could fail to see that they were committing a crime…”

Shortly before the raid of Fort Sumter, the “Evening Journal” published a feature story on April 11, 1861 about the conspiracy of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.  An entire story on how conspirators, who supported the secessionists and depended on day labor, were caught attempting to kill the President elect at the time.  The last big story on the slavery issue before the Civil War broke out four days later.

In my opinion this was the defining moment of the “Albany Evening Journal”, since the party journal became testimony of the Free states for the abolition of slavery during its greatest era.

under: Comm 455
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Sensationalism in America

Posted by: | September 25, 2012 | No Comment |

Sensationalism in the United States began with the creation of The Penny Press. Like the name suggests, penny press papers cost one penny per paper. This made news accessible to the lower class for the first time. It didn’t take long for journalists to realize that this new “penny-audience” was not interested in the same kind of news that their educated American counterparts were interested in. In an attempt to increase readership, the Penny Press began to cover crime, divorce and other court stories. This was they type of news that interested the “penny-audience,” or the middle and lower class.

The next rise of Sensationalism can be seen in the 1890’s with the start of the Spanish-American War. This war is seen as the first “media” or “press-driven” war in America. Sensationalized news stories about the conflict between America and Spain increased American support which propelled the conflict into war.

Perhaps the most common form of sensationalism, the tabloid, was created during the 1920s. These tabloids were composed of scandalous crime, sex, and money articles that relied heavily on photography rather than quality writing. This is most similar to the sensationalism that is seen in modern-day journalism.

Photo courtesy of StepAsideShow

 

under: Comm 455, Uncategorized
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The importance of vocal reporting is replaced by pen and paper

Posted by: | September 25, 2012 | No Comment |

Are you a story teller, or a story writer? While some would argue they possess both qualities, this is one instance in which we know the chicken(spoken word) came before the egg(written word).

Stories, whether hard or soft, were first heard. They were heard, and then told, and eventually written. Today we use Greg’s Shorthand. Introduced in 1888, Greg’s shorthand replaced Benn Pitman’s earlier style. Shorthand, formally known as stenography, translates to ‘narrow writing’ in Greek, and has its origins there.

The introduction of shorthand into contemporary journalism brought forth a new obstacle for journalists, and also relieved them of the pressure to remember. As we’ve discussed in professor Steve Klein‘s class, “strong shorthand replaces a formidable memory as a job qualification.” The advent of stenography as way to record events in history came with its strengths and pitfalls.

Shorthand was a new technology to the Europeans. They were no longer responsible to call up entire speeches from memory, but they did have to learn how to adapt to stenography. It is a possibility, then, that much of the early reporting based on shorthand missed several important details. Written word also has a tendency, as we know, to alter or reposition the tone of a story.

Early journalists probably greeted shorthand with open arms, but I’ll keep using my voice recorder, because the the truth and voice of a story starts at the source, and I think most journalists and writers alike are glad technology didn’t end with pen and paper.

Introduction of light-line shorthand

Similar to Benn Pitman's shorthand, yet all of Greg's symbols are 'light-line'

 

under: Comm 455
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Obama and Black media

Posted by: | September 25, 2012 | No Comment |

Having a Black president has reawakened the ethnic press. While in past presidencies, politics weren’t very prominent in Black publications, the reign of President Obama has had African-American media outlets clamoring to report first on his every move. The president noticed back in 2010, right in the middle of his term that he needed to continue his impact in informing the Black community  by talking to news outlets that catered to them.

“The media is changing so rapidly that websites, like you guys do every day, do two things. Number one, it allows us to reach audiences that may not be watching Meet The Press. I’m just saying, it might be a different demographic.”

 

Just last week at the White House, the president made a special shout-out a few heavy-hitters in ethnic press to “pump up” their readers about his upcoming re-election. His press audience included reporters from News One, Black Planet and The Urban Daily.

It’s nice to see the Black media focus on something other than rappers, football players and crime. It’s a nice change (no pun intended), but one can only hope that the political focus will  still be there even if we don’t see another term from President Obama.

under: Comm 455
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Martin Luther: scribal vs. university culture

Posted by: | September 24, 2012 | No Comment |

A scribal culture is dominated by religious doctrine and authority, while a university culture generates knowledge through education and innovative thinking.

Martin Luther, a highly prolific figure that we have studied lately, came of age during a time when university culture was immerging. As he underwent a spiritual transformation from within, so did most of Europe. Luther’s way of thinking was radical for his time. Through much agony and soul-searching, Luther came to the conclusion that the path to salvation was not through the Catholic Church, by gaining power or paying for the forgiveness of sins, but must be found within oneself.

This ignited what is now known as the Protestant Reformation. To this day, Christianity is still divided into many denominations and sects. The core beliefs of Christianity, as we now know it today, can be attributed to Martin Luther.

What aided Luther and other scholars of his time was literacy, another drastic contrast between university culture and scribal culture. Because he could actually read the Bible himself, he was able to formulate his own interpretations. Not only was he able to read, but he was an eloquent writer as well, which can be seen in his exposee on the Catholic Church entitled 95 Theses. This manifesto generated quite a buzz, and traveled by word of mouth across the continent.

Education, literacy, and the brilliant mind of one man proved to be a deadly combination for the Roman Catholic Church, and scribal culture as a whole. But it was the dawning of a new day in religion and the spread of ideas and information.

under: Comm 455
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Jane Grey Swisshelm

Posted by: | September 24, 2012 | No Comment |

Born over 100 years before women even received the right to vote, Jane Grey Swisshelm was an influential figure in the 19th century. She worked as an anti-slavery advocate and was a proud supporter of women’s equality. Swisshelm fought for women’s right to own property, leading to the proposal of the Pennsylvania Married Woman’s Property Law. Although this law did not pass, Swisshelm soon became successful as the first woman correspondent for the New York Tribune.

After returning to Pittsburgh from Louisville, Ky., Swisshelm began to write about the horrors of slavery that she witnessed while living so close to it. She began to submit stories to Pittsburgh newspapers as “Jennie Dean.” She started her own newspaper, the Pittsburgh Saturday Visitor, in 1848.

On April 22, 1850, Swisshelm became the first woman to cover a story in the press gallery in Washington, D.C.

Photo Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society

Swisshelm left her husband and moved to Minnesota in 1857. She soon became editor of the St. Cloud Visiter.  Her work was so outspoken and controversial that in 1858, a group of angry citizens destroyed her printing press and threw the type into the river. After this, she established the St. Cloud Democrat, continuing to voice her feminist and anti-slavery sentiment.

Although Swisshelm used journalism to fight for women’s rights, she was supportive of the extermination of the Dakota Indians after a group of them attacked white settlers in 1862.

Swisshelm died in 1887, three years before the Pennsylvania legislature passed a law allowing women to own property.

under: Comm 455
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William Caxton: the father of the English press

Posted by: | September 24, 2012 | No Comment |

In 1476, William Caxton (1421?-1492) established the first printing press in England. Upon viewing the wonders of the printing press from his extensive travels in Europe, Caxton realized the value of this modern marvel. Soon, with the patronage of the Royal Family, Caxton would be running off books in both French and English.

William Caxton BBC

After setting up his new press in Bruges, Caxton produced the first translated book printed in the English language: The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye. Caxton, a linguist in his own right, would go on to translate dozens of books and make great strides in the English language.

In regards to Caxton’s contributions to journalism, he is credited with standardizing the English language, which was, in the late 1400’s, still very far from the English which is spoken today.

At the end of the day, someone had to be the first person to bring a printing press across the Channel. William Caxton: businessman, diplomat, traveler, would be the first Englishman to add the title “printer” after his surname.

 

under: Comm 455
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The impact of Mitt Romney’s 47%

Posted by: | September 24, 2012 | No Comment |

On September 17, Mitt Romney was at a fund raiser in Florida when he candidly made some remarks about the American people, unaware that his comments being recorded. Important lesson to the Republican presidential candidate: you are running for president — you are always being recorded.

Let’s start with the direct quote:

“There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that’s an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax…My job is is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.” – Mitt Romney

Now for the video clip, provided by Mother Jones.

The reactions to the video vary greatly on different ends of the political spectrum. Liberals cry foul while Mitt Romney stands by what he said. (And, with his history of flip-flopping, who could blame him?)

What is most interesting, is how this two-minute video clip will have a bigger impact on this election than 200 million campaign dollars.

With independent voters playing such a strong role in this election, Romney’s comments may be the deciding factor for their vote in November.

DC Decoder polled independent voters’ reaction to Romney’s comments.

    53% of independent voters polled said the comments had no affect on them
    29% of independent voters polled said the comments made them less likely to vote GOP
    15% of independent voters polled said the comments made them more likely to vote GOP

    New polls in Virgina, Florida and Ohio show President Obama with a larger victory than polls showed prior to Romney’s blunder. However, Romney’s camp insist that he is not out of the game. They are crossing their fingers for this all to blow over, and preferably before November.

under: Comm 455
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Aung San Suu Kyi at the Newseum

Posted by: | September 24, 2012 | No Comment |

Professor Klein requested that I write about my experience at the Newseum from Thursday September 20th. At this event I was honored to be in attendance when Noble Peace Prize Winner Aung San Suu Kyi spoke to a group of Amnesty International members.

Aung San Suu Kyi is pro-democracy leader in the country of Myanmar. Having been under house arrest for more than fifteen years, Aung San Suu Kyi was finally released earlier this year by the Burmese government.

Her visit to the Newseum was part of a seventeen day trip around the United States. Prior that day, she was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal which was presented by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton along with Speaker of the House John Boehner.

The Newseum appeared to be the perfect place to host Kyi. In a world where the freedom of speech, press, and expression aren’t equal, the Newseum highlights the importance of a free press. Aung San Suu Kyi, who for so many years wasn’t allowed to speak, was in a place that honors freedom of speech.

Aung San Suu Kyi at the Newseum on September 20

According Reporters Without Borders, a nonprofit that monitors attacks on freedom of information, Burma restricts freedom of the press. In the case of Nay Phone Latt,  a blogger from Burma who was serving a twelve year prison sentence until we was released in November 2011. Using his blog and the internet cafes available, Latt reported on the street demonstrations. While violence still occurs in the streets of Burma, writers such as Latt and opposition leader such Kyi continue to fight for a free government and a free press.

When asked what wants the next generation to do, Kyi simply replied that “younger generations must find out why people put away political prisoners.” Instead of just releasing political prisoners, Kyi encouraged younger generations to get at the heart of the reasons behind why governments suppress individuals.

Since the rise of the pro-democracy movement. Kyi highlighted that the government is now allowing independent newspapers to be published. Before newspapers were owned strictly by the state and her father’s image wasn’t allowed to be published, as he was the first leader of the pro-democracy movement.

Listening to her speak was one of the most inspirational moments of my life. It is not often that one gets to be the presence of someone who has faced so much and is so keenly aware of her place in a difficult political struggle. I was very honored to be a part of this event.

 

under: Comm 455
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Do the Japanese Contribute to Social Media?

Posted by: | September 23, 2012 | No Comment |

As far as Japanese technology goes, some say it is unparalleled. Japan seems to have excelled far more than any other nation in history in this area.

But when it comes to the media, what has Japan done? Paper! In the year 610 A.D. China transferred its form of paper — still primitive at the time — to Japan. The Japanese then transformed paper by using bast fibres from the mulberry tree.

In 1615 newssheets printed from engraved inked tiles — “kawaraban” — began to appear in Japanese societies. Gossip, scandal and sensationalism could be found on them. It would be over two centuries later that the news would be formalized in Japan.

In 1871 Japan began its first daily newspaper — about 150 years after the first English language newspaper was published. It was called the “Yokohama Mainichi Shimbun.”

Although Japan may not have contributed much to our modern media and press, it can still be seen as a revolutionary nation. Considered by many as the world’s first true novel, The Tale of Genji was written by a Heian court lady in the 11th century A.D.

under: Comm 455, newspapers
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Word of mouth: from the Greeks to Twitter

Posted by: | September 23, 2012 | No Comment |

We all know what word of mouth is. A friend tells you some news, whether it be juicy gossip or something they heard on the radio, then you tell someone else and it goes on and on. By the time it goes through a number of people, it can become distorted and completely inaccurate.

In today’s world, the most common way we exhibit word of mouth is through social media, especially Twitter. Although word of mouth can lead to distortion of news, social media sites like twitter allow news to travel much faster. Within minutes a news story can blow up just from one tweet.

Where did word of mouth begin? Although it has no real time stamp, it can be traced back to the time of the Greeks.

In 351 B.C, Demosthenes, a Greek orator, delivered a speech called the First Philippic, addressing Athenians obsession with word of mouth, stating “Thus we all go about framing our several tales.”

It is funny imagining the Greeks walking around whispering about the latest gossip surrounding Alexander the Great or what battle will be fought next. It is also interesting to know our behavior has not changed much since that time.

So even back then word of mouth was an everyday form of communication and gossip that we all participate in. Since then word of mouth has come a long way. Now everyday ‘word of mouthers’ on the internet consider themselves journalists, which has its pros and cons, it is just the matter of sorting the reliable ones from the not so reliable.

under: Uncategorized

The first sports illustrated magazine

Posted by: | September 23, 2012 | No Comment |

Sports Illustrated.  One of the most popular magazines among readers in the United States.

It has been a hit since the first issue came out on August 16, 1954.

Sports Illustrated 1954

There were 148 pages in the first issue containing advertisements, small stories, feature stories, and even pictures and full stats of baseball players during that time.

The sports that were reported on in the first issue have changed dramatically to the ones that are reported on now.  Some of the sports that were reported on in this issue were:

  • horse racing
  • boxing
  • golf
  • track and field
  • polo
  • flying

Flying was even considered a sport at that time.  Two of the major feature stories written were about boxing and track and field.  In todays Sports Illustrated issues they report their big stories on basketball or football.  There was no football to be found in this issue.

They even had three whole pages in the 1954 issue that were all trading cards that you could cut out and save.

 

under: Comm 455
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