A Brief History of Newspapers
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托福阅读真题第229篇NewspapersinWesternEurope(答案文章最后)Newspapers in Western EuropeParagraph 1:By the eighteenth century, newspapers had become firmly established as a means of spreading news of European and world affairs, as well as of local concerns, within European society. One of the first true newspapers was the Dutch paper Nieuwe Tijdingen. It began publication in the early seventeenth century at about the same time that the overseas trading company called the Dutch East India Company was formed. The same ships that brought goods back from abroad brought news of the world, too.1. According to paragraph 1, what was true about the Dutch paper Nieuwe Tijdingen ?A. It reported news mainly about ships and trade goods.B. It was established in the eighteenth century.C. It was among the first real newspapers in Europe.D. It was published by an overseas trading company.Paragraph 2:Dutch publishers had an advantage over many other publishers around Europe because the Netherlands’ highly decentralized political system made its censorship laws very difficult to enforce. Throughout Europe in the seventeenth century, governments began recognizing the revolutionary potential of the free press and began requiring licenses of newspapers — to control who was able to publish news. Another tactic, in France and elsewhere on the continent from the 1630s onward, was for governments to sponsor official newspapers. These state publications met the increasing demand for news but always supported the government’s views of the events of theday.2. Paragraph 2 suggests that the main reason why governments began to license newspapers wasA. to make sure that newspapers were of high qualityB. to provide their countries’ publishers with an advantage over other European publishersC. to reduce competition among government-sponsored newspapersD. to help control the public’s attitudes about the news3. According to paragraph 2, what was true about official government newspapers?A. They made censorship laws more difficult to enforce.B. They expanded the revolutionary potential of the press.C. They appeared first in the Netherlands.D. They always agreed with the government's opinion.Paragraph 3:By the eighteenth century, new conditions allowed newspapers to flourish as never before. First, demand for news increased as Europe’s commercial and political interests spread around the globe — merchants in London, Liverpool, or Glasgow, for example, came to depend on early news of Caribbean harvests and gains and losses in colonial wars. Europe’s growing commercial strength also increased distribution networks for newspapers. There were more and better roads, and more vehicles could deliver newspapers in cities and convey them to outlying towns. Newspaper publishers made use of the many new sites where the public expected to read, as newspapers were delivered to cafes and sold or delivered by booksellers.4. According to paragraph 3, why did demand for news increase in the eighteenth century?A. People wanted to read about the new books being sold by booksellersB. Governments wanted to make sure their colonies were being governed efficiently.C. Merchants needed to know how their businesses would be affected by events in other countries.D. Owners of cafes needed to predict how foreign harvests might affect food pricesParagraph 4:Second, many European states had established effective postal systems by the eighteenth century. It was through the mail that readers outside major cities and their environs —and virtually all readers in areas where press censorship was exercised firmly —received their newspapers. One of the most successful newspapers in Europe was a French-language paper (one of the many known as La Gazette), published in Leiden, in the Netherlands, which boasted a wide readership in France and among elites throughout Europe.5. In paragraph 4, why does the author mention a French language paper that was published in Leiden?A. To show that the most successful newspapers in Europe tended to be French-language newspapersB. To illustrate the important role played by the mail in the distribution of newspapersC. To provide evidence that newspapers were being read by the elites of EuropeD. To establish that the Netherlands had one of the most effective postal systems in EuropeParagraph 5:Finally, press censorship faltered in one of the most important markets for news — England — at the turn of the eighteenth century after 1688. Debate raged about whether theParliament or the Crown had the right to control the press, and in the confusion the press flourished. The emergence of political parties further hampered control of the press because political decisions in Parliament now always involved compromise, and many members believed that an active press was useful to that process. British government’s control of the press was reduced to taxing newspapers, a tactic that drove some papers out of business.6. According to paragraph 5, many members of Parliament held which of the following views about the English press?A. It had the effect of increasing tensions between Parliament and the monarchyB. It created pressure that encouraged political opponents to reach agreementC. It helped create the confusion that led to the emergence of political parties.D. It could be more effectively controlled by compromise than by taxing newspapersParagraph 6:Eighteenth-century newspapers were modest products by modern Western standards. Many were published only once or twice a week instead of every day, in editions of only a few thousand copies. Each newspaper was generally only four pages long. Illustrations were rare, and headlines had not yet been invented. Hand-operated wooden presses were used to print the papers, just as they had been used to print pamphlets and books since the invention of printing in the fifteenth century.7. According to paragraph 6, all of the following are true of eighteenth-century newspapers EXCEPTA. They usually were published no more than twice a weekB. They generally consisted of four pagesC. They included numerous illustrations.D. They had no headlinesParagraph 7:Yet these newspapers had a dramatic impact on their reading public. Regular production of newspapers (especially of many competing newspapers) meant that news was presented to the public at regular intervals and in manageable amounts. Even strange and threatening news from around the world became increasingly easy for readers to absorb and interpret. Newspaper readers also felt themselves part of the public life about which they were reading. This was true partly because newspapers, available in public reading rooms and in cafes, were one kind of reading that occupied an increasing self-aware and literate audience. Newspapers also were uniquely responsive to their readers. They began to carry advertisements, which both produced revenue for papers and widened readers’ exposure to their own communities. Ever more important was the inauguration of letters to the editor in which readers expressed their opinions about events. Newspapers thus became venues for the often rapid exchange of news and opinions.8. According to paragraph 7, newspapers had all of the following effects on their readers EXCEPTA. They found it easier to understand news from other countriesB. They became more successful in business than those who did not read newspapersC. They became better connected to their local communities.D. They could write about their own opinions on current eventsParagraph 2:Dutch publishers had an advantage over many other publishers around Europe because the Netherlands’ highly decentralized political system made its censorship laws very difficult to enforce. ■Throughout Europe in the seventeenth century, governments began recognizing the revolutionary potential of the free press and began requiring licenses of newspapers —to control who was able to publish news. ■Another tactic, in France and elsewhere on the continent from the 1630s onward, was for governments to sponsor official newspapers. ■These state publications met the increasing demand for news but always supported the government’s views of the events of the day.■9. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. Where would the sentence best fit?And even when it was possible to apply laws limiting speech, authorities were reluctant to do so because of the growing economic importance of the commercial book market.10. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some answer choices do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points. Drag your choices to the spaces where they belong. To review the passage, click on View Text.By the eighteenth century, newspapers had become established as a means of spreading news of European affairs within European society.Answer ChoicesA. Governments tried to control what news got published by sponsoring official newspapers, taxing publishers, requiring newspapers to be licensed, and instituting press-censorship laws.B. England was the most important market for news, but disruptions caused by conflict over how the government should control the press resulted in many British newspapers being driven out of business.C. Censorship laws were established and enforced differently across Europe because of differences in the political systems of the various countries.D. Europe’s expanding commercial and political interests led to increased demand for news and also to improved systems for distributing newspapers.E. Although eighteenth-century newspapers were modest by modern standards, they made current events accessible to the reading public and facilitated the rapid exchange of news and opinions.F. Newspapers' regular presentation of strange and threatening news from around the world had the effect of making their readers feel more closely connected to their own local communities.。
关于泰晤士报的英文作文英文:I have been an avid reader of The Times for many years, and I must say that it is one of the most reputable and insightful newspapers in the world. The Times covers a wide range of topics, from politics and current affairs to culture and entertainment. It provides in-depth analysis and thought-provoking opinion pieces that always keep me engaged.One of the things I love about The Times is its international coverage. As a global citizen, I appreciate being able to read about events and developments from around the world. The newspaper's correspondents and journalists do an excellent job of providing balanced and comprehensive reporting on global issues.In addition to its serious reporting, The Times also offers lighter content that is both entertaining andinformative. The features on travel, food, and lifestyleare always a joy to read, and I often find myself inspiredto try new recipes or visit new destinations after reading them.Another aspect of The Times that I appreciate is its commitment to quality journalism. The newspaper upholdshigh standards of accuracy and integrity, and I trust that the information I am reading is reliable and well-researched.Overall, The Times is a newspaper that I turn to for reliable news, insightful analysis, and engaging content.It has become a part of my daily routine, and I lookforward to reading it every morning with my cup of coffee.中文:泰晤士报是我多年来的忠实读者,我必须说它是世界上最有声望和富有洞察力的报纸之一。
It is my great honor to stand before you today and deliver a speech on the significance of newspapers in our society. As we all know, newspapers have been an integral part of our lives for centuries, serving as a vital source of information, entertainment, and cultural exchange. In this speech, I will discuss the role of newspapers, their challenges in the digital age, and the importance of preserving this cherished medium.Firstly, let us delve into the role of newspapers. They serve as amirror to the world, reflecting the events, issues, and concerns of our time. From the earliest printed newspapers in the 17th century to the modern-day digital editions, newspapers have played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing political decisions. They provide us with a comprehensive overview of local, national, and international news, enabling us to stay informed about the world around us.Moreover, newspapers offer a platform for diverse voices and perspectives. They publish articles, editorials, and opinions from various experts, activists, and citizens, fostering a healthy debate and promoting democratic values. By presenting different viewpoints, newspapers encourage critical thinking and empower readers to form their own opinions.However, the advent of digital technology has posed significant challenges to the newspaper industry. The rise of social media, online news platforms, and mobile applications has led to a decline in print newspaper circulation and advertising revenue. Many newspapers have had to downsize, merge, or even shut down entirely. This has raised concerns about the future of journalism and the potential loss of quality reporting.Despite these challenges, newspapers remain a crucial medium for several reasons. Firstly, they provide in-depth reporting and analysis that are often lacking in digital news platforms. Newspapers have the resources and time to investigate complex stories, ensuring that readers receive well-researched and well-written content.Secondly, newspapers have a strong local presence and can offer a unique perspective on local issues. They serve as a bridge between the community and the outside world, reporting on events, people, and organizations that shape our lives. This local focus is essential for maintaining a vibrant democracy and fostering a sense of belonging among citizens.Furthermore, newspapers play a vital role in preserving history and culture. They document significant events, personalities, and trends, providing future generations with a record of our time. This historical perspective is invaluable for understanding the past and shaping the future.In order to adapt to the digital age, newspapers must embrace innovation and diversify their revenue streams. They can leverage technology to enhance their online presence, offer interactive features, and engage with readers through social media. Additionally, newspapers can explore alternative funding models, such as subscriptions, crowdfunding, and partnerships with other organizations.In conclusion, newspapers have been and continue to be an indispensable medium in our society. They provide us with essential information,foster a culture of debate, and preserve our history. While the digital age presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for newspapers to reinvent themselves and remain relevant. Let us support and preservethis cherished medium, ensuring that it continues to play a vital role in our lives.Thank you.。
GRE(VERBAL)阅读模拟试卷4(题后含答案及解析) 题型有:1. PART ONEPART ONE (Time:30 minutes 38 Questions)SECTION 3Directions: Each passage in this group is followed by questions based on its content. After reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.Late-eighteenth-century English cultural authorities seemingly concurred that women readers should favor history, seen as edifying, than fiction, which was regarded as frivolous and reductive. Readers of Marry Ann Hanway’s novel Andrew Stewart, or the Northern Wanderer, learning that its heroine delights in David Hume’s and Edward Gibbon’s histories, could conclude that she was more virtuous and intelligent than her sister, who disdains such reading. Likewise, while the na?ve, novel-addicted protagonist of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, Catherine Morland, finds history a chore, the sophisticated, sensible character Eleanor Tilney enjoys it more than she does the Gothic fiction Catherine prefers. Yet in both cases, the praise of history is more double-edged than it might actually appear. Many readers have detected a protofeminist critique of history in Catherine’s protest that she dislikes reading books filled with men “and hardly any women at all.”Hanway, meanwhile, brings a controversial political edge to her heroine’s reading, listing the era’s two most famous religious skeptics among her preferred authors. While Hume’s history was generally seen as being less objectionable as his philosophy, there were widespread doubts about his moral soundness even as a historian by the time that Hanway was writing, and Gibbon’s perceived tendency to celebrate classical paganism sparked controversy from the first appearance of his history of Rome.1.The author’s primary purpose is thatA.the evidence used in support of a particular argument is questionableB.a distinction between two genres of writing has been overlookedC.a particular issue is more complex than it might appearD.two apparently different works share common featuresE.two eighteenth-century authors held significantly different attitudes toward a particular正确答案:A解析:A选项中的a particular argument指的是文化权威们认为“女人应该多读历史”的观点,evidence指的是第二、三句。
A-Brief-History-of-EnglishA Brief History of EnglishN o understanding of the English language can be very satisfactory without a notion of the history of the language. But we shall have to make do with just a notion. The history of English is long and complicated, and we can only hit the higl1 spots.不了解英语的历史很难真正掌握这门语言,然而对此我们只能做到略有所知。
因为英语的历史既漫长又复杂,我们只能抓住其发展过程中的几个关键时期。
At the time of the Ro1nan Empire, the speakers of what was to become English were scattered along the northern coast of Europe. They spoke a dialect of Low German. More exactly, they spoke several different dialects, since they were several different tribes. The names given to the tribes who got to England are Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who are referred to collectively as Anglo-Saxons4.在罗马帝国时期,散居在欧洲北部沿海的居民说一种西部德语的方言,这就是英语的前身。
更确切地说,由于隶属于不同的部落,他们说的是几种不同的方言。
2001 Passage 1Specialisation can be seen as a response to the problem of an increasing accumulation of scientific knowledge. By splitting up the subject matter into smaller units, one man could continue to handle the information and use it as the basis for further research. But specialisation was only one of a series of related developments in science affecting the process of communication. Another was the growing professionalisation of scientific activity.No clear-cut distinction can be drawn between professionals and amateurs in science: exceptions can be found to any rule. Nevertheless, the word "amateur" does carry a connotation that the person concerned is not fully integrate d into the scientific community and, in particular, may not fully share its values. The growth of specialisation in the nineteenth century, with its consequent requirement of a longer, more complex training, implied greater problems for amateur participation in science. The trend was naturally most obvious in those areas of science based especially on a mathematical or laboratory training, and can be illustrated in terms of the development of geology in the United Kingdom.A comparison of British geological publications over the last century and a half reveal s not simply an increasing emphasis on the primacy of research, but also a changing definition of what constitutes an acceptable research paper. Thus, in the nineteenth century, local geological studies represent ed worthwhile research in their own right; but, in the twentieth century, local studies have increasingly become acceptable to professionals only if they incorporate, and reflect on, the wider geological picture. Amateurs, on the other hand, have continued to pursue local studies in the old way. The overall result has been to make entrance to professional geological journals harder for amateurs, a result that has been reinforced by the widespread introduction of referee ing, first by national journals in the nineteenth century and then by several local geological journals in the twentieth century. As a logical consequence of this development, separate journals have now appeared aimed mainly towards either professional or amateur readership. A rather similar process of differentiation has led to professional geologists coming together nationally within one or two specific societies, where as the amateurs have tended either to remain in local societies or to come together nationally in a different way.Although the process of professionalisation and specialisation was already well under way in British geology during the nineteenth century, its full consequences were thus delay ed until the twentieth century. In science generally, however, the nineteenth century must be reckon ed as the crucial period for this change in the structure of science.51. The growth of specialisation in the 19th century might be more clearly seen in sciences such as ________.[A] sociology and chemistry[B] physics and psychology[C] sociology and psychology[D] physics and chemistry52. We can infer from the passage that ________.[A] there is little distinction between specialisation and professionalisation[B] amateurs can compete with professionals in some areas of science[C] professionals tend to welcome amateurs into the scientific community[D] amateurs have national academic societies but no local ones53. The author writes of the development of geology to demonstrate ________.[A] the process of specialisation and professionalisation[B] the hardship of amateurs in scientific study[C] the change of policies in scientific publications[D] the discrimination of professionals against amateurs54. The direct reason for specialisation is ________.[A] the development in communication[B] the growth of professionalisation[C] the expansion of scientific knowledge[D] the splitting up of academic societies重点词汇:specialisation ♦☐♏☞☜●♋♓♏♓☞☜⏹(专业化)即special+is(e)+ation,special(特别的;额外的),-ise 动词后缀(specialise即v.专业化),-ation名词后缀;specialist (专家;专科医生)←special+ist后缀表“人”。
绝密★启用前2019年普通高等学校招生全国统一考试(全国卷III)英语第二部分阅读理解(共两节,满分40分)第一节(共15小题;每小题2分,满分30分)阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。
AOPENINGS AND PREVIEWSAnimals Out of PaperYolo!Productions and the Great Griffon present the play by Rajiv Joseph, in which an origami(折纸术)artist invites a teenage talent and his teacher into her studio. Merri Milwe directs. In previews. Opens Feb.12.(West Park Presbyterian Church,165 W.86th St.212-868-4444.)The AudienceHelen Mirren stars in the play by Peter Morgan,about Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and her private meetings with twelve Prime Ministers in the course of sixty years. Stephen Daldry directs. Also starring Dylan Baker and Judith Ivey. Previews begin Feb.14.(Schoenfeld,236 W.45th St.212-239-6200.)HamiltonLin-Manuel Miranda wrote this musical about Alexander Hamilton,in which the birth of America is presented as an immigrant story. Thomas Kail directs. In previews. Opens Feb.17.(Public,425 Lafayette St.212-967-7555.)On the Twentieth CenturyKristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher star in the musical comedy by Betty Comden and Adolph Green,about a Broadway producer who tries to win a movie star’s love during a cross-country train journey. Scott Ellis directs, for Roundabout Theatre Company. Previews begin Feb.12.(American Airlines Theatre, 227 W.42nd St.212-719-1300.)21. What is the play by Rajiv Joseph probably about?.A.A type of art.B.A teenager's studio.C.A great teacher.D.A group of animals.22. Who is the director of The Audience?A. Helen Mirren.B. Peter Morgan.C. Dylan Baker.D. Stephen Daldry.23. Which play will you go to if you are interested in American history?A. Animals Out of Paper.B. The Audience.C. Hamilton.D. O n the Twentieth Century.BFor Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative."It's no secret that China has always been a source(来源)of inspiration for designers," says Amanda Hill, chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚)shows.Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese aesthetics(美学)on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. The exhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences."China is impossible to overlook," says Hill. "Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion —they are central to its movement. "Of course, only are today's top Western designers being influenced by China —some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese." Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu are taking on Galiano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs-and beating them hands down in design and sales," adds Hill.For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion. "The most famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers," she says. "China is no longer just another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about China —its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally acknowledging that in many ways."24.What can we learn about the exhibition in New York?A. It promoted the sales of artworks.B. It attracted a large number of visitors.C. It showed ancient Chinese clothes.D. It aimed to introduce Chinese models.25.What does Hill say about Chinese women?A. They are setting the fashion.B. They start many fashion campaigns.C. They admire super models.D. They do business all over the world.26.What do the underlined words "taking on" in paragraph 4 mean?A. learning fromB. looking down onC. working withD. competing against27.What can be a suitable title for the text?A. Young Models Selling Dreams to the WorldB.A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New YorkC. Differences Between Eastern and Western AestheticsD. Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion TrendsCBefore the 1830s,most newspapers were sold through annual subscriptions in America, usually $8 to $10 a year. Today $8 or $10 seems a small amount of money, but at that time these amounts were forbidding to most citizens. Accordingly, newspapers were read almost only by rich people in politics or the trades. In addition, most newspapers had little in them that would appeal to a mass audience. They were dull and visually forbidding. But the revolution that was taking place in the 1830s would change all that.The trend, then, was toward the "penny paper"— a term referring to papers made widely available to the public. It meant any inexpensive newspaper; perhaps more importantly it meant newspapers that could be bought in single copies on the street.This development did not take place overnight. It had been possible(but not easy)to buy single copies of newspapers before 1830,but this usually meant the reader had to go down to the printer's office to purchase a copy. Street sales were almost unknown. However, within a few years, street sales of newspapers would be commonplace in eastern cities. At first the price of single copies was seldom a penny—usually two or three cents was charged —and some of the older well-known papers charged five or six cents. But the phrase "penny paper " caught the public's fancy, and soon there would be papers that did indeed sell for only a penny.This new trend of newspapers for "the man on the street" did not begin well. Some of the early ventures(企业)were immediate failures. Publishers already in business, people who were owners of successful papers, had little desire to change the tradition. It took a few youthful and daring businessmen to get the ball rolling.28.Which of the following best describes newspapers in America before the 1830s?A. Academic.B. Unattractive.C. Inexpensive.D. Confidential. 29.What did street sales mean to newspapers?A. They would be priced higher.B. They would disappear from cities.C. They could have more readers.D. They could regain public trust.30.Who were the newspapers of the new trend targeted at?A. Local politicians.B. Common people.C. Young publishers.D. Rich businessmen.31.What can we say about the birth of the penny paper?A. It was a difficult process.B. It was a temporary success.C. It was a robbery of the poor.D. It was a disaster for printers.DMonkeys seem to have a way with numbers.A team of researchers trained three Rhesus monkeys to associate 26 clearly different symbols consisting of numbers and selective letters with 0-25 drops of water or juice as a reward. The researchers then tested how the monkeys combined—or added—the symbols to get the reward.Here's how Harvard Medical School scientist Margaret Livingstone, who led the team, described the experiment: In their cages the monkeys were provided with touch screens. On one part of the screen, a symbol would appear, and on the other side two symbols inside a circle were shown. For example, the number 7 would flash on one side of the screen and the other end would have 9 and 8. If the monkeys touched the left side of the screen they would be rewarded with seven drops of water or juice; if they went for the circle, they would be rewarded with the sum of the numbers—17 in this example.After running hundreds of tests, the researchers noted that the monkeys would go for the higher values more than half the time, indicating that they were performing a calculation, not just memorizing the value of each combination.When the team examined the results of the experiment more closely, they noticed that the monkeys tended to underestimate(低估)a sum compared with a single symbol when the two were close in value—sometimes choosing, for example, a 13 over the sum of 8 and 6. The underestimation was systematic: When adding two numbers, the monkeys always paid attention to the larger of the two, and then added only a fraction(小部分)of the smaller number to it."This indicates that there is a certain way quantity is represented in their brains, "Dr. Livingstone says. “But in thisexperiment what they're doing is paying more attention to the big number than the little one.”32. What did the researchers do to the monkeys before testing them?A. They fed them.B. They named them.C. They trained them.D. They measured them.33. How did the monkeys get their reward in the experiment?A. By drawing a circle.B. By touching a screen.C. By watching videos.D. By mixing two drinks.34. What did Livingstone's team find about the monkeys?A. They could perform basic addition.B. They could understand simple words.C. They could memorize numbers easily.D. They could hold their attention for long.35. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?A. Entertainment.B. Health.C. Education.D. Science.第二节(共5小题;每小题2分,满分10分)根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。
美国报纸简史英文作文The history of American newspapers can be traced backto the 17th century, when the first publick OccurrencesBoth Forreign and Domestick was published in Boston in 1690. It was the first multi-page newspaper in the American colonies.Newspapers played a crucial role in the American Revolution, with publications like the Pennsylvania Gazette and the Boston Gazette spreading revolutionary ideas and rallying support for independence.In the 19th century, the advent of the steam-powered printing press led to a boom in newspaper circulation. This period saw the rise of influential newspapers like the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune.The 20th century brought about significant changes in the newspaper industry, with the introduction of colorprinting, the rise of investigative journalism, and the emergence of national newspapers with widespread circulation.The digital age has posed significant challenges to the newspaper industry, with many traditional printpublications struggling to adapt to the shift towards online news consumption. However, digital platforms have also provided opportunities for newspapers to reach wider audiences and experiment with new forms of storytelling.Despite the challenges they face, newspapers continue to play a vital role in American society, serving as a source of information, a platform for public debate, and a check on government power. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the future of American newspapers remains uncertain, but their legacy as a cornerstone of democracyis indisputable.。
A Brief History of NewspapersWere it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.───Thomas Jefferson, 1787.For my part I entertain a high idea of the utility of periodical publications; insomuch as I could heartily desire, copies of ... magazines, as well as common Gazettes, might be spread through every city, town, and village in the United States. I consider such vehicles of knowledge more happily calculated than any other to preserve the liberty, stimulate the industry, and ameliorate the morals of a free and enlightened people.───George Washington, 1788.Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech or of the press...───Article One, Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution, 1789.Here is the living disproof of the old adage that nothing is as dead as yesterday's newspaper... This is what really happened, reported by a free press to a free people. It is the raw material of history; it is the story of our own times.───Henry Steel Commager, preface to a history of the New York Times, 1951 The Origins of NewspapersThe history of newspapers is an often-dramatic chapter of the human experience going back some five centuries. In Renaissance Europe handwritten newsletters circulated privately among merchants, passing along information about everything from wars and economic conditions to social customs and "human interest" features. The first printed forerunners of the newspaper appeared in Germany in the late 1400's in the form of news pamphlets or broadsides, often highly sensationalized in content. Some of the most famous of these report the atrocities against Germans in Transylvania perpetrated by a sadistic veovod named Vlad Tsepes Drakul, who became the Count Dracula of later folklore.In the English-speaking world, the earliest predecessors of the newspaper were corantos, small news pamphlets produced only when some event worthy of notice occurred. The first successively published title was The Weekly Newes of 1622. It was followed in the 1640's and 1650's by a plethora of different titles in the similar newsbook format. The first true newspaper in English was the London Gazette of 1666. For a generation it was the only officially sanctioned newspaper, though many periodical titles were in print by the century's end.Beginnings in AmericaIn America the first newspaper appeared in Boston in 1690, entitled Publick Occurrences. Published without authority, it was immediately suppressed, its publisher arrested, and all copies were destroyed. Indeed, it remained forgotten until 1845 when the only known surviving example was discovered in the British Library. The first successful newspaper was the Boston News-Lette r, begun by postmaster John Campbell in 1704. Although it was heavily subsidized by the colonial government the experiment was a near-failure, with very limited circulation. Two more papers made their appearance in the 1720's, in Philadelphia and New York, and the Fourth Estate slowly became established on the new continent. By the eve of the Revolutionary War, some two dozenpapers were issued at all the colonies, although Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania would remain the centers of American printing for many years. Articles in colonial papers, brilliantly conceived by revolutionary propagandists, were a major force that influenced public opinion in America from reconciliation with England to full political independence.At war's end in 1783 there were forty-three newspapers in print. The press played a vital role in the affairs of the new nation; many more newspapers were started, representing all shades of political opinion. The no holds barred style of early journalism, much of it libelous by modern standards, reflected the rough and tumble political life of the republic as rival factions jostled for power. The ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791 at last guaranteed of freedom of the press, and America's newspapers began to take on a central role in national affairs. Growth continued in every state. By 1814 there were 346 newspapers. In the Jacksonian populist 1830's, advances in printing and papermaking technology led to an explosion of newspaper growth, the emergence of the "Penny Press"; it was now possible to produce a newspaper that could be sold for just a cent a copy. Previously, newspapers were the province of the wealthy, literate minority. The price of a year's subscription, usually over a full week's pay for a laborer, had to be paid in full and "invariably in advance." This sudden availability of cheap, interesting reading material was a significant stimulus to the achievement of the nearly universal literacy now taken for granted in America.The Industrial RevolutionThe industrial revolution, as it transformed all aspects of American life and society, dramatically affected newspapers. Both the numbers of papers and their paid circulations continued to rise. The 1850 census catalogued 2,526 titles. In the 1850's powerful, giant presses appeared, able to print ten thousand complete papers per hour. At this time the first "pictorial" weekly newspapers emerged; they featured for the first time extensive illustrations of events in the news, as woodcut engravings made from correspondents' sketches or taken from that new invention, the photograph. During the Civil War the unprecedented demand for timely, accurate news reporting transformed American journalism into a dynamic, hardhitting force in the national life. Reporters, called "specials," became the darlings of the public and the idols of youngsters everywhere. Many accounts of battles turned in by these intrepid adventurers stand today as the definitive histories of their subjects.Newspaper growth continued unabated in the postwar years. An astounding 11,314 different papers were recorded in the 1880 census. By the 1890's the first circulation figures of a million copies per issue were recorded (ironically, these newspapers are now quite rare due to the atrocious quality of cheap paper then in use, and to great losses in World War II era paper drives) At this period appeared the features of the modern newspaper, bold "banner" headlines, extensive use of illustrations, "funny pages," plus expanded coverage of organized sporting events. The rise of "yellow journalism" also marks this era. Hearst could truthfully boast that his newspapers manufactured the public clamor for war on Spain in 1898. This is also the age of media consolidation, as many independent newspapers were swallowed up into powerful "chains"; with regrettable consequences for a once fearless and incorruptible press, many were reduced to vehicles for the distribution of the particular views of their owners, and so remained, without competing papers to challenge their viewpoints. By the 1910's, all the essential features of the recognizably modern newspaper had emerged. In our time, radio and television have graduallysupplanted newspapers as the nation's primary information sources, so it may be difficult initially to appreciate the role that newspapers have played in our history.Twenty-three of the 50 largest circulation U.S. magazines are now online(Print circulation data from Audit Bureau of Circulations. Based on total paid circulation for thesecond half of 1995.):NRTA/AARP Bulletin (21.1 million subscribers)Modern Maturity (21 million)Reader's Digest (15.1 million)TV Guide (13.2 million)National Geographic (9 million)Better Homes and Gardens (7.6 million)Good Housekeeping (5.3 million)Ladies' Home Journal (5.05 million)Family Circle (5.01 million)Woman's Day (4.7 million)McCall'sCar & TravelTimePeoplePlayboyPreventionRedbookSports IllustratedNewsweekAmerican LegionAvenuesNational EnquirerCosmopolitanSouthern LivingStarMotorlandU.S. News & World ReportHome & AwaySeventeenYMSmithsonianGlamourVFW MagazineField & StreamEbonyMoneyParentsCountry LivingPopular ScienceAmerican RiflemanPopular MechanicsLifeGolf DigestSunsetMartha Stewart LivingSoap Opera DigestWoman's WorldTeenOutdoor LifeDiscoverNewspaper history - The changing shape of newsWhat is important for our purposes is to realize that newspapers could be quite different from what they are today. Consider a local newspaper from the 1830s.How do we account for these differences? A British newspaper of the early 19th century was likely to be read by the elite of the town -- taxes made them too expensive for workers. It was likely to be read in groups in coffeehouses and pubs, as an occasion for further talk rather than as a matter of private relaxation. Editors took what they could get to fill the columns. The earliest newspapers (in the 17th and 18th centuries) were just paid outlets for official or party notices, and even in the 19th century readers did not expect any pretense of objectivity or neutrality.The changes resulted from the advent of mass newspapers in the second half of the 19th century. The origins of mass newspapers are complex, involving lower newspaper taxes, extensions of advertising, steam presses, cheaper paper, better transport, wider literacy among urban workers, and extension of the vote and of political party organizations. The effects are also complex. Michael Schudson claims that news, as we know it, as stories reporting new facts, starts with competition among mass newspapers. Only with these mass newspapers, competing in big cities, do we see the newspaper we take for granted today, with reporters gathering material on beats and writing stories, with wire services providing the same national and international stories to all local papers, with powerful editors selecting, with specific sections and categories of news, and with the whole organisation paid for by advertising, more than by the cover price.So there were newspapers long before there was news. That is an important idea -- that news is not a given, but a particular way of selecting, organizing, and packaging some events from the infinite number of things that happen. Some accounts, particularly among journalists and politicians, start with the assumption that things just happen, and then journalists report them with more or less bias and distortion. But most academic studies of journalism assume that news organizations, in interaction with audiences, shape what counts as news.We are now seeing a huge transformation in what newspapers do, as they are challenged by television as a source of images and reporting, and the internet as a potential source of hugeamounts of information. These challenges raise the issue of just what newspapers are for.Electronic newspapers - Changing practicesRecall that McLuhan said that each new medium has an old medium as its content. In the last few years, newspapers have provided a vast amount of content for the world wide web. As recently as 1997, the web was only used by a few newspapers timidly exploring its possible uses, and looking for some way to charge subscribers. Now nearly all newspapers -- even student newspapers and tiny weeklies -- have web pages. Some have just the print content shoveled into HTML ("shovelware" it is called), while others have begun to re-think what a newspaper is. For instance, some newspapers offer galleries of recent photos, which you can see together, and download, instead of seeing them as part of print stories. More elaborate sites offer you ways of following stories and linking to background information.For all this explosion of content, it is hard to see why anyone would read a news paper on the web. As I said in the section on practices, newspapers are built into the routines of our days, in the interstices, at meals or when commuting or in breaks. Computers, on the other hand, are on desks at work or school, or up in the study. They can't be carried around, or stuffed in a case. And, of course, web newspapers can't be used to wrap fish, line the bird cage, or dry out wet running shoes.Once news providers figure out how people do get news on the web, we should expect some changes in reading practices. For instance, most internet gateways will let you choose the kind of news you want to get. Does that mean that you won't get the stray distractions of foreign news or political news that you might get from a newspaper? Web pages have tight constraints on how much can get on one page, so the headlines are limited, but they have virtually no constraints on how much might be printed, so the whole structure of newspaper stories, based as it is on the scarcity of space, may change. And of course there is no reason to get your news from a newspaper - CNN or your internet service provider or Yahoo will provide headlines and more, or you might turn to a less conventional news provider, such as , which focuses on the developing world.News values: a critiqueBoth the Galtung and Ruge study and the Golding and Elliott study are trying to get at what journalists take for granted as the qualities of events that are interesting, exciting, appealing -- what counts as news. Hall et al., in the reading on "The Social Production of News", argue that this sense of news values is "the professional ideology of what constitutes 'good news'" (Marris and Thornber, p. 646). That is, news values aren't qualities that set one event apart from another, they are ways journalists have of selecting and framing stories so they fit expectations. In the view of Hall and his colleagues, this process is profoundly conservative, reinforcing stereotypes and unquestioned assumptions about society. News values have been invoked to explain press treatments of such issues asenvironmental issuesimmigrationindustrial relationsfaminepeacenuclear energyAIDSmedical researchHowever, one might point out that both these lists of news values have qualities that are in conflict with each other - consonance and unexpectedness for instance. Stories can often take surprising turns as competing news organisations present them in terms of different news values. For instance, the focus on testing of GMOs in the UK, or the French orientation to risks of BSE, or the Greek treatment of Kosovo, or the US treatment of gun crimes, all show different kinds of conflicting news values at work.The news has at one point or another played a part in every one of our lives. Whether it is a weather report giving flash-flood warnings, information on presidential campaigns, or an obituary citing the death of a television personality, we crave it. Until the recent development and affluence of the Internet as a news source, newspapers have globally been the primary source of current events. Having become part of a daily routine in most lives, little is known of the immense historythis learning tool holds.。