Hot Off the Presses: The Evolution of the Newspaper
Brought to you by Represent
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Think of newspapers today and we might think of factual, black-and-white articles that report daily happenings all around the world. But the newspaper and its evolution are much more colourful than that.
From stone tablets to town criers, gossip rags to wartime pamphlets, the history of the newspaper paints a vibrant picture of the human need for stories and information.
From stone tablets to town criers, gossip rags to wartime pamphlets, the history of the newspaper paints a vibrant picture of the human need for stories and information.
Before newspapers were invented, people were the bearers of new information.
Travellers were important messengers, bringing back information from other parts of the world. They would often be greeted with the question, “what news?”, from those excited to hear about happenings from abroad.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsTravellers were important messengers, bringing back information from other parts of the world. They would often be greeted with the question, “what news?”, from those excited to hear about happenings from abroad.
In ancient Greece, heralds announced official declarations of war, as well as truces.
Their association with news of battle is captured on this drinking-cup: a herald watches as warriors fight.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsTheir association with news of battle is captured on this drinking-cup: a herald watches as warriors fight.
Later, news began to be written down. One of the earliest examples of this was the Roman Acta Diurna, a stone tablet which was carved with news reports. Created in 59 BCE, it discussed court trials and military updates, as well as weddings, births and deaths.
It was placed in the Roman Forum – or town square – so that everyone could read it.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsIt was placed in the Roman Forum – or town square – so that everyone could read it.
Elsewhere, news pamphlets were created as a way to pass on information from the throne.
Image: World Encyclopedic KnowledgeThe ancient Chinese dibao, or “palace report”, contained information from the imperial government and was given out only to government officials. It later evolved into the jingbao, or “capital report”.
The dibao was first published around the Tang dynasty. It was produced all the way until 1912, when the last Chinese emperor stepped down.
Written news soon became the norm.
The invention of the printing press in the 1400s made it easy to produce news publications. In 1506, what many consider to be the world’s first newspaper was published.
It was called the Relation: Aller Fuernemmen und Gedenckwuerdigen Historien, or “account of all distinguished and commemorable stories”.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsIt was called the Relation: Aller Fuernemmen und Gedenckwuerdigen Historien, or “account of all distinguished and commemorable stories”.
But not everyone used the printing press for serious matters. Gossip rags or “scandal sheets”, such as The Morning Post, became popular in the 1700s and 1800s.
They focused on the unsavoury secrets of the upper classes, and often fueled gossip.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsThey focused on the unsavoury secrets of the upper classes, and often fueled gossip.
As the years went by, newspapers became more and more popular.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Newspapers were especially important during the world wars. For civilians back home, newspapers were the most effective method of getting information. Mail was slow, and word-of-mouth was inaccurate.
Newspapers, on the other hand, were published multiple times a day. They reflected the latest updates from the rapidly changing warfront.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsNewspapers, on the other hand, were published multiple times a day. They reflected the latest updates from the rapidly changing warfront.
On the other hand, many of the soldiers themselves found newspapers from home overly patriotic and optimistic. They thus created their own publications.
These “trench newspapers”, named for the trench warfare that was common in World War I, provided the soldiers with entertainment and gave them a way to express their emotions. They drew comics, made jokes, and wrote about their loved ones at home.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsThese “trench newspapers”, named for the trench warfare that was common in World War I, provided the soldiers with entertainment and gave them a way to express their emotions. They drew comics, made jokes, and wrote about their loved ones at home.
Newspapers continued to flourish after the wars. They were so highly regarded that many readers wanted to become journalists themselves.
By the 1950s, journalism courses were offered in many universities.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsBy the 1950s, journalism courses were offered in many universities.
But as radio and television became more popular from the 1950s onwards, newspaper readership decreased…
And soon, the golden age of newspapers was over.
Image: PexelsAnd soon, the golden age of newspapers was over.
Today – with so much information on the Internet – newspapers are slowly dying out.
Their future is uncertain.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsTheir future is uncertain.
What will happen to newspapers next?