Blog Post #3 - EOTO 1 Reflection

I learned about a variety of topics through my peers' presentations and have gained a better understanding about the beginning of the press. I was able to conclude that the history of journalism is not simple but has many layers and involves many different people.

One group gave a presentation about the historic anti-slavery newspaper, The Liberator. This newspaper is significant as it was the most widely circulated anti-slavery newspaper during the antebellum period and Civil War. 

My peers explained that the paper was published and edited in Boston by a white abolitionist named William Lloyd Garrison, which I found interesting. Its success was predominantly among the free blacks in the northern states and it ran for 35 years before ending alongside the Civil War.

Another presentation focused on the idea of yellow journalism, or the use of dramatic headlines. Before listening to this presentation, I knew very little about yellow journalism and its impact on media today.

I learned that yellow journalism is the use of exaggeration and sensationalism in newspapers, typically in headlines, to attract readers and increase sales. It was invented by William Randolph Hearst, publisher of the New York Journal, and his arch-rival, Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of the New York World. 

This type of press has polluted journalism today and has made it more difficult for audiences to find credible and more serious news stories. In our generation, the idea of media is all about how much profit can be made rather than fulfilling the true purpose of the press: to report on truthful and critical news.

Two of my fellow peers also gave a presentation about political cartoons and satire. This was one that I found truly intriguing since I have analyzed political cartoons before in previous history classes. 

One of the biggest takeaways from this presentation was that satire is heavily protected by the government because it is a form of art, speech, and expression. Political cartoons are protected under the First Amendment and are a key component in the framework of political journalism.

They offer a creative alternative to formal news reporting and allow audiences to grasp a specific message through art, which can sometimes be stronger than any use of words. 

Finally, a few of my other peers discussed the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and explained that they are an organization dedicated to protecting journalism. They encourage the free practice of journalism, support high standards of ethical behavior, and advocate for those who feel their voice may not be heard.

This organization is principal in the preservation of true press and journalism.