A "Brief" History of Journalism - Part 2

Similarities and differences between online media and the print culture of the 18th and 19th centuries

Print and online media differ in a variety of ways. The ways include the way each medium uses advertising and the implementation of the partisan press. During the 18th and 19th centuries newspapers were influenced by their advertisers (Sloan 211). Some companies that were promoted made false claims about their products which caused some controversy. Sloan writes, “Although many magazines advertised practically anything and everything in the late 1800s, some publishers protected readers by not running fraudulent ads” (285). While some publishers refused to run these ads, others were not as concerned about the public’s interest and ran the dishonest ads.

Online media today is unable to make false claims about their products for fear of being sued. Publishers would not take the chance of promoting a product that could potentially have harmful effects. Sloan writes, “People associated with the business began taking note of the negative impact on legitimate advertising produced by false and misleading ads” (298). At the turn of the century people began to take action against those who created and marketed these kinds of false advertisements. Online media, if it is influenced by an advertiser, must claim to be so thus creating transparency. If the online media is promoting a product, it must specify what business it is through. The rise of objectivity in journalistic practices lead to advertisements becoming legitimate in their claims. Online media is able to make sure claims are factual and if not, take action against those who would claim otherwise. During the 18th and 19th centuries it was common to find partisan presses writing about a particular issue, especially politics. Today, newspapers boast that they are objective, unbiased, and factual. This dynamic shift in how journalism portrays events and issues is distinct.

Before the 20th century presses were influenced by political parties. Sloan writes, “As political leaders recognized the importance of the press, they worked to encourage newspapers to support their cause” (73). The party press was rampant during this time which was influenced by either republican or democrat values. In today’s presses, journalistic values include the rejection of biased reporting. Reporters are expected to provide both sides to every story. There is still debate today whether journalists are biased or not; however, it is not as exceedingly obvious as it had been in previous centuries (Sloan 525).

While print and online media may differ, they do share some similarities. These similarities include their inherent right to freedom of the press and their advancement of mass media through technology. In the centuries previous to 1800 the press was limited in what they published. Printers were fighting for their rights to publish whatever they desired in a series of arguments throughout the 18th century (Sloan 100). Criticism against the government was not taken well and some printers were either imprisoned or suppressed (Sloan 99-100). The press were able to gain more rights than ever before in 1900s (Sloan 109). The induction of the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment lead to the expansion of freedom of the press. The First Amendment was indoctrinated in the 18th century just after the Revolutionary War. Today, these values and rights are upheld to the highest standard. Freedom of the press is an essential part of our modern media and use of communications. Mass media is able to print whatever they like as long as they are not publishing libelous work. The First Amendment is just as relevant to the press in today’s society as it was during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Print newspapers and online media both have advanced exponentially. Print has eventually grown to the online newspapers that we have in modern society. Sloan writes, “Just as, in the past, each medium weathered the introduction of new forms of entertainment, other media are expected to adapt to the new environment, changing to make the Internet a beneficial partner rather than a destructive foe (411). Print advanced through new inventions such as colored ink and high-speed presses (Sloan 301). Online media has grown from internet publications to the use of social media to promote their newspaper and communicate important information across the globe (Sloan 411). Each medium has advanced in different ways throughout the centuries. During the 18th and 19th centuries print has been able to endure improvements in technology and the production of newspapers. Online media is increasingly adapting and growing to accommodate their public. Each medium is used as a way to inform and entertain mass audiences. Technology has influenced these mediums in a way that is chronological such that they impact the other over time.