“Journalism 101”

The history and purpose behind the “news”

History

Define journalism: a gathering and transmitting of news

Began by only using word of mouth– Limited the content that people gave and received– Example: try playing “telephone”

Rome: one of the earliest groups to keep a daily record revealing political news and acts to Roman colonies– Because this information was written down, it

became known as a reliable source!

History cont.

Invention of the printing press in 1456 contributed to a spreading of the Bible, printed books, and the idea behind the news!

Before the “newspaper” appeared – referred to as “news books”

Very first “newspaper” = Europe = 17th century

History cont.

First published newspaper (in English) = Oxford Gazette (now the London Gazette) – 1665

First daily newspaper = Daily Courant – 1702 – Published for 30 years

Birth of broadcast = 1901 – a wireless transmitter was used to send a signal from the US to Europe– By 1907 this invention began the era of what we

now call “broadcast journalism”

Purpose

Up for debate… ? What is the purpose behind all

journalism?– Inform? – Entertain?– ?