University of Algiers 3

Faculty of Information Sciences & Communication

English Course
Second-year

UNIT ONE: Journalism

1.1 Introduction to Journalism

The Birth of Journalism

Journalism has a long and storied history that has evolved over the centuries. Here's a brief
glimpse of key moments in the history of journalism:

1. Ancient Beginnings: Journalism has its roots in ancient civilizations. The ancient
Romans had a system of daily newsletters known as "Acta Diurna" to disseminate
news and public announcements. Similarly, ancient China had a tradition of court
officials posting news reports in public places.

2. Printing Press Revolution: The invention of the printing press by Johannes

Gutenberg in the 15th century revolutionized journalism. It made the mass production
of newspapers and pamphlets possible, leading to an increase in the spread of
information.

3. 17th Century Newspapers: The first recognized newspapers, such as "The London
Gazette" and "The Oxford Gazette," appeared in England during the 17th century.
These publications mainly carried government announcements and official news.

4. 18th Century Enlightenment: The Enlightenment era saw the rise of more
independent and critical journalism. Publications like "The Spectator" in England and
"The Pennsylvania Gazette" in the American colonies focused on discussing ideas,
culture, and social issues.

5. American Revolution: Journalism played a pivotal role in the American Revolution.

Pamphlets like Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" and newspapers like "The Boston
Gazette" were influential in shaping public opinion and rallying support for
independence.

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 6. 19th Century and the Penny Press: The 19th century saw the emergence of the
penny press, making newspapers more affordable and accessible to the general public.
This period marked the birth of investigative journalism and the rise of famous figures
like Horace Greeley and Nellie Bly.

7. Yellow Journalism: In the late 19th century, "yellow journalism" became popular,
characterized by sensationalism, exaggeration, and eye-catching headlines. Publishers
like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were influential in this era.

8. 20th Century: The 20th century brought advancements in technology, such as radio
and television, which expanded the reach and influence of journalism. It also saw
significant events covered by journalists, including World Wars, the Civil Rights
Movement, and the Watergate scandal.

9. Digital Revolution: The late 20th century and the 21st century have witnessed a
digital revolution in journalism. The internet has transformed the way news is
produced, distributed, and consumed. Online news platforms, social media, and citizen
journalism have become integral parts of the media landscape.

10. Challenges and Evolution: Journalism has faced challenges such as declining print
circulation, fake news, and issues related to trust and credibility. However, it continues
to evolve, adapt, and play a vital role in informing the public and shaping public
discourse.

The history of journalism is a rich tapestry of changing technologies, evolving practices, and
influential figures. It has played a crucial role in the dissemination of information, the shaping
of public opinion, and the oversight of governments and institutions.

What is Journalism?

Journalism is writing about news related to subjects for all mediums, print and non-print. It’s
a complicated process of gathering information through different channels, sifting through it,
editing and giving it context. Journalism incorporates everything from anything that is
considered “hard” news from politics and public affairs to the softer side, including human
interests and lifestyles. A journalist is known to be the public’s eyes and ears as the entire
global population relies on journalism to remain informed.

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In short, journalism is all about keeping the public informed and updated on the latest
happenings!

What is the Study of Journalism?

Journalism can be seen as transforming events through systematic criteria into news that is
publishable in the media. The tasks that news workers do are mainly to ‘report, research, write
and edit reports as well as produce and assemble visual images for news and information. The
selection of news goes through another screening process which involves editors, producers
and news directors.

Career Options with a Journalism Degree

There are boundless career opportunities awaiting those with a journalism degree. From the
dynamic field of news reporting to the multifaceted domains of content creation, public
relations, and beyond, your options are as diverse as your passions. Here are some of the main
career paths:

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• Reporter: The very basics of practicing journalism. Reporters inform the public about
the happenings around the world. Spends most of the time conducting interviews and
investigations. Works on a tight deadline in a fast phase environment wanting to be the
first to publish the story.

• Editor: Oversees every step of the publishing process, working with writers to plan
and edit content for publications. Editors work in many environments such as
magazines, newspapers, and online media. In short, wherever there is a story/article,
there will be an editor watching over it.

• Copywriter: Develops messages that you usually see on advertisements. They’re

naturally persuasive, creative and able to cram a lot of convincing information under a
few words.

• Public Relation Specialist: Public Relation specialist creates and maintains a

favourable image for the organizations they represent and puts together media releases
to help shape the public perception and increase brand awareness.