In the first of an in-depth narrative series that will illuminate key moments in journalism’s rough evolution in the age of the Internet, Michael Shapiro tells the little known inside story of the San Jose Mercury News, which brilliantly seized the moment yet didn’t know what to do with it, and then, sadly, released its grasp.Shapiro sheds light on the rise and fall of the Mercury's owner, Knight-Ridder, which rose to dizzying business and journalistic heights, only to crash, a victim of the great disruption. Was it inevitable, or were key mistakes made and opportunities missed?
The presidential campaign of 2008 was one of the most intense and closely-followed races in US politics. Moments after the presidential election was called for Barack Obama across televisions and computer screens (and probably sooner), editors at newspapers around the world began framing some of the most significant front pages in history. President Obama: Election 2008 is a collection of over 75 November 5th, 2008 newspaper front pages from around the world, including international, campus, and ethnic newspapers. There is no better statement of the emotion, excitement and significance of this historic event. Compiled by The Poynter Institute, a non-profit school for journalists, this book will be a cherished keepsake or gift for any of the millions of Americans who cast their vote for the 44th President of the United States. A Look Inside President Obama: Election 2008, with an Introduction by Garry Trudeau In the real world, as a matter of record, there isn't much dancing in the streets. Setting aside sanctioned festivals, it's mostly just a figure of speech, especially when used predictively (see "Iraq, invasion of"). Election Day, November 4, 2008, was different. That night, Baltimore Avenue in Philadelphia was clogged with a jubilant mob boogying with abandon, banging pots and pans in time with horn blasts from engulfed cars. In Kisumu, thousands of Kenyans shimmied in the streets, singing, kissing, thumping on drums in such an unalloyed outpouring of euphoria that the government was moved to declare a national holiday. In Seattle, a club turned its speakers into the street, blasting a beat for the enormous dance party that rocked downtown. In Jakarta, schoolchildren hugged and danced in the pouring rain. In New Haven, hundreds of Yale students, mad with joy, spontaneously poured from their rooms and converged on a campus green, where they formed an enormous circle of celebration. And in Manhattan, Broadway was quickly cordoned off as thousands of New Yorkers streamed south toward the lights, dancing, shouting, overcome by a big, bold blast of history, the kind that filled up Times Square on V-J Day. And then the next day, after the street parties were over, people went out and did something many of them hadn't done in years: They bought newspapers. Yes, newspapers. By the trainload, actually. The Washington Post printed up 30,000 extra copies; they sold out instantly. So they ordered another 150,000 copies, then raised it to 250,000, then eventually 700,000—offered at triple the usual cover price. In Los Angeles, the Times printed up an extra 107,000, but they were gone in an instant. Outside their downtown offices, a line of customers formed around the block. Two days later, it was still there. Meanwhile, The New York Times put an extra 250,000 papers on the street, but individual copies still popped up on eBay for $200 apiece. And at last count, USA Today had printed 380,000 additional copies, with online sales still brisk. All those folks scrambling for copies weren't just interested in election returns, obviously. They could, after all, get the details from TV or the Internet, and probably already had—maybe even from their local newspaper's Web site. But what they couldn't get was the crisp, tactile, iconic artifact that is a daily newspaper— that tangible proof that something big had really happened. The morning-after newspaper, with the huge headlines reserved for historic events, continues to be seen as the indispensable keepsake—one that can forever evoke and refresh a deeply consequential memory. To our industry, it was a glorious day and no doubt will be recalled fondly. It seems doubtful, with newspapers inexorably losing their place in public life, that we will see many more like it. But on November 5, 2008, for one day, we became a nation of newspaper consumers again. Across the country, editors were breaking out the 72-point type, and the public couldn’t get enough of it. This collection of front pages evolved from that continuing excitement, and part of its great appeal is that it allows readers to vicariously experience the same ringing event from many vantage points. Each newspaper had its own particular cultural or geographic perspective, so while the basic lead ("Obama wins!") was the same everywhere, there was considerable variation in the framing. For Hawaiian readers, for instance, it was a hometown-boy-makes-good story. For Atlanta, with its civil rights legacy, the story is the ultimate triumph of social justice. In The Arizona Republic, John McCain's home newspaper, the smiling winner shares the front page with a gracious loser. To look at these disparate front pages in sequence is to grasp the enormity of Barack Obama's dream of bringing a fractious country together. But the overriding tone of elation and pride suggests he's off to a pretty good start. Did I mention there was dancing in the streets? --Garry Trudeau A New Era: Excerpts from President Obama Election 2008
The Frontier Newspapers and the Coverage of the Plains Indian Wars takes readers back to the late 19th century to show how newspaper reporting impacted attitudes toward the conflict between the United States and Native Americans.Emphasizing primary sources and eyewitness accounts, the book focuses on eight watershed events between 1862 and 1891—the Great Sioux Uprising in Minnesota, the Sand Creek Massacre, the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, the Battle of the Little Big Horn, the Flight of the Nez Perce, the Cheyenne Outbreak, the Trial of Standing Bear, and the Massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 and its aftermath. Each chapter examines an individual event, analyzing the balance and accuracy of the newspaper coverage and how the reporting of the time reinforced stereotypes about Native Americans.
The definitive account of the war in Bosnia, this book, written by an award-winning reporter for NPR, illuminates the issues at the heart of that conflict and captures the tragedy of Sarajevo through the story of the city's daily newspaper. Includes three pages of maps and 15 photos.
Travel to the 1950's with Tom Barker as he takes you on his Rollfast Bicycle for a ride back in time when the minimum wage was $1 an hour, a stamp cost 3 cents and a newspaper was a nickel. Tom takes you on a visit to the lost world of the delivery of the mighty newspaper by an army of teens. Learn how hundreds of newspaper carriers got the latest news, fashion, sports, and advertising out to the masses. Understand the importance of the newspaper boy institution and the famous people it has influenced and were once among its ranks. Tom will tell you how he got his paper route, overcame obstacles, made new friends, and endeared himself to the customers on route S-2 in Irondequoit New York.Today newspapers are delivered by sometimes grumpy men in automobiles who deposit the thin wad of newsprint into a plastic tube at the side of the road. Back in the 1950's each customer had a special place reserved at their house for the gentle placement of the thick, rolled up, multipage conveyance of information. It was a different world back then and Tom will take you there.
A complete digital re-creation of the legendary psychedelic underground newspaper originally published in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury during the Summer of Love.
Each weekend in the 1950s, 30,000 boys knocked at the doors of more than 700,000 American small-town homes and were welcomed with a smile and a dime as they delivered the weekly edition of Grit, America's Greatest Family Newspaper.For more than 100 years, Grit delivered news, features, fiction, coupons, and comics to families across the nation. More than a million children have sold Grit, some for a few weeks, some for several years. Many adults, including Astronaut John Glenn, look back on the experience with pride.This short eBook single (5,500 words) introduces Grit and its founder, Dietrick Lamade, whose ambition and determination epitomizes the word "Grit" and who, despite his prejudices, brought the world to the American living room each week.A journalistic legacy, Grit recorded timely events and celebrated family and community through good times and bad. Many of its articles and features are endearing and touching portraits that chronicled the United States, indeed, the world's, progress and misfortune.Founded in 1882 as a Saturday edition of the Daily Sun and Banner in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Grit was at first a short-lived venture. Then, two years later, Dietrick Lamade purchased it. His story is typically American; the story of a young man who sought and found opportunity, and who, in 50 years, created one of the miracles of modern publishing.Beginning in 1882, Grit: America's Greatest Family Newspaper was on hand to record the world’s history. With millions of readers throughout the United States, it also had the power to influence politics, local and national. Many people miss their Sunday Grit, which brought homespun news to their doorsteps each week. It lives again at http://www.SundayGrit.com.
A professional journalist shows students how to write hard-hitting news stories and attention-getting feature articles for newspapers and magazines.
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