CMST 1A03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Liberal Democracy, Press Gallery, Marxism

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Communication Studies
• Course: CMST 1A03
• Professor: Christine Quail

Document Summary

Printing press - many voices, sharing information. Even later: = response by workers, social interests. Disorganization (many producers, low barriers to entry) Alignment with (or ownership by) political parties. Different parties & leaders had editorial control over the publication. Newspapers shifted away from purely political alliances as readership expanded and advertising became their major source of revenue. Stories display many viewpoints so the public can understand multiple sides to an issue and make up their own mind. The news" goal is to provide a neutral, unbiased recollection of an event or issue. As newspaper readership increased, and broad social reforms happened (1890s-1920s) journalism shifted from partisan to objective" reporting. Reporters may have unconscious biases which seep into the news. The act of selecting a story to cover, there is attention pointed toward that one story meanwhile others are left uncovered. Attempt to attract more readership through photos, headlines, entertainment. Publishers desired to pursue pro tability free from state restrictions.