Comm455/History of Journalism

http://www.lahistoriadelapublicidad.com/documentos/thedailyadverstiser1_122.jpg

In London in 1730, The Daily Advertiser began publication. This daily newspaper offered advertising space with news of politics, commerce, and society.

Stanley Morison, a journalism historian, stated in our book that The Daily Advertiser was the “first modern newspaper” that “gained a hold on the commercial classes which it never lost.”

This success caused a plethora of morning dailies to appear in the 1740’s. In fact, the word Advertiser began to replace the word Post in British newspapers.

In these dailies merchants, traders, and financiers finally found something to compete with word of mouth for news of affairs and speculations.

These reports on business were sufficiently thoughtful and organized. With such precision, they transformed haggling into business transactions.

But government officials were not thrilled.

With their business transactions on public display on a daily basis, disparities in prices were reduced. And many traders relied on them.

Still, daily newspapers lasted and flourished even with the introduction of coffeehouses.

And just like so many years ago, individuals still drink their coffee with a side of news.

http://truenewsusa.blogspot.com/2013/05/lake-county-sheriff-chief-wayne-hunter.html

100 years ago, Lake County Independent was the local newspaper that predominantly covered news for Lake County, Illinois.

In the early 1900’s, these newspapers were much simpler than today’s.

Local news were really local.

So much so that the sample of newspapers were only a few pages long, and it seems to talk about people as if they should be known to the public.

Informing us of what may seem as trivial decisions at first glance, this newspaper contains the rich history of the United States. It shows us “modern-day folk” just what everyday life meant back then.

For example, on January 5th, 1900, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Bock had a three-month-old who suffered, died, and was buried next to four other little girls. Not only does this text display the facts, but it also reflects the religious nature of that time stating, “it would seem she had budded on earth only to blossom in Heaven”.

This is something that might be scrutinized in today’s world. Although this country’s Constitution was built on religious (as well as moral) values, many today still take issue with it. Look at the “under God” or the “Christmas” versus “Holiday” tree controversy.

Additionally, local news today would probably not include whether or not “Miss Mary Norton is visiting her aunt at Batavia, Ill.” News today is about entertainment. After all, our book does say murder is the most reported crime since it is the most fascinating.

Besides, no ratings, no journalism.

But, do you think we could learn from the 1900’s simpler accounts of news?

As I spoke about in my first post regarding the history of coffeehouses, their purpose has changed over the years. However, I wanted to delve deeper into what replaced the purpose these meeting grounds once served.

We know that when coffeehouses first arose in the 1700s, they were primarily a forum for spoken news. A very prominent platform for spoken news, I might add. People — mostly men, and often of importance — would gather daily to shout and share the news of the day. From politics to war to local crime, everything and anything was said.

Coffeehouses were even specifically targeted toward one certain subject. One may be geared toward the arts, another toward politics, and yet another toward economics. The speakers would often hop from house to house throughout the day.

One coffeehouse in Rome, called “Cafe Greco”, was dedicated to certain artists including Goethe and Wagner.

A coffeehouse in France, “Cafe de Flore”, attracted intellectuals including writers, publishers and filmmakers.

So thus we ask, where did this tradition go?

My answer: we got busy.

As our society progresses, time becomes more and more valuable. And as the world grows and new inventions are created each day, we find more and more things to fill our time.

In result, we have turned to multitasking in order to complete all we wish to do in a day. We no longer have time to casually discuss the news for hours on end while relaxing over a cup of joe.

Therefore people have turned to other sources for news. And most importantly, sources they can either access on the run or while completing other tasks. Sources that are fast and instant

According to a recent study, The most highly accessed device among American people used to gather news is the television. This is largely because this allows the people to listen to the news — and get that more personal form of spoken news — while also doing other things, such as work, cooking, cleaning, etc.

The television, much like these old coffeehouses, presents numerous perspectives on the news as well as a variety of shows geared toward specific subjects: politics, local news, entertainment news, and so on.

The television also presents the news in a spoken form, similar to that presented in the coffeehouses, just in a less personal way.

This is the trend all forms of news have followed over the years. It has become less personal and more commercialized. Today the purpose is to be short and to the point, as concise as possible, and to go along with the fast paced lifestyle of the average person in our modern world.

Consequently, coffeehouses now supplement this lifestyle. They have become a place where one can quickly fuel up to continue go- go- going with their busy day; cell phone in hand, ear buds in, listening to the days news podcast, scrolling through their news feeds and glancing at numerous news outlet applications, while also replying to emails, adding appointments to calendars, and searching the web for a new restaurant to try for dinner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQfe-OkAlr8News travels by gossip, trading, traveling, feasting, and ceremonies, and the Fairfax Fall Festival includes all of these.

That’s right folks, the 38th annual Fall Festival is a’comin on Oct. 11. And admission is free!

“What started out as a small market for artisans to display their wares has grown to a festival with more than 400 arts, crafts, information, food & gourmet food vendors, children’s activities and three stages of music and entertainment for all ages,” according to fairfaxva.gov.

Downtown will be overcome with Fairfax’s rich history and activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This includes lumberjack competitions, open-house tours around the city, and even a carnival.

There are even free shuttle buses running from 9:30 to 5:30 from George Mason University and Fairfax High School.

Much like the “Dance of the First Fruits,” the community of Fairfax thrives with the start of the Fall celebration.

The election is tomorrow and I am so nervous I can barely stand it. Just thinking about it makes my throat close up and my heart beat just a little faster.

While my stomach is tied up in knots, I can’t help but wonder: why the heck am I so nervous?

According to the final Post-ABC poll from this weekend, Obama has the lead over Romney by a comfortable three points (50-47). If Obama takes Virginia, the election is in his pocket.

In response to the latest NBC/WSJ/Marist Poll, Rachel Maddow blogged about the importance of Virginia for Obama.

It’s a reminder to keep a close eye on the commonwealth tomorrow night, because it may well be the swing state that dictates the outcome. If the president wins the likely-blue states, and then picks up Iowa, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Virginia, he’ll pass 270 — even without Ohio and/or Florida.

Plus, if Barbara Streisand is supporting President Obama, then by golly he has to win!

But, is Barbara enough? Do the predictions and polls ring true? Let’s hope so. Otherwise I’m moving to Canada.

Let me take you back to a time when news was not instantaneous. When news was spread by paperboys on street corners and families would learn of the happenings of the world from a piece of paper in the morning and a television set at night.

Life in the 1960’s in America, during the height of the newspaper industry, was an exciting time.