JOURN 3000 1stEdition Lecture 6Outline of Last LectureI. Colonial PressOutline of Current LectureI. Colonial PressCurrent LectureColonial Press: Journalistic Roles Disseminate information about other parts of the world; coloniesChallenge decisions of those in power Commentate on God’s will, providence Paper is mirror Commentate, campaign about public issues (e.g., inoculation) Entertain readers Journalistic Roles Provide forum for exchange of ideas Three factions Tories – North American loyalists to Britain, crown Whigs – primarily an economic philosophy – no taxation without representation Patriots – promote revolution based on principles of liberty and popular sovereignty These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. James Rivington, Tories Population, 20-30 percent Tory, Loyalist in 1776 Owned bookstores; founded New York Gazetteer, later Royal Gazette Presented opposing sides of political questions Tories, Loyalists Many Tory printers hounded out of business Rivington becomes Tory propagandist after Battles of Lexington and Concord Rivington’s renamed paper fails after the war John Dickinson, Whig Dickinson’s “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania” spread his Whig philosophy British taxes a conspiracy against colonists to deprive them of liberty Established principles of the revolution No taxation without representation Sam Adams, Patriot Editor of Independent Advertiser; contributor to Boston Gazette Organized Committees of Correspondence in 1772 to cover meetings, news network Strategic network of publishers, works with Sons of Liberty Published stories of British atrocities Tom Paine, Patriot Writer for Pennsylvania Magazine, pamphlets Argued for universal suffrage and education, against slavery “Common Sense” in 1776 championed the revolutionary cause 120,000 copies sold in three months Published in colonial papers Argued against British rule Crisis Papers Paine traveled among the troops when morale was low; gathered their thoughts and stories Read to the troops, rallied the troops Printed in colonial papers, rallied support Paine fell out of favor after the war as too radical News Organization Committee of correspondence – news gathering networks Networks for trading essays, stories Printer and editor becoming distinct jobs, editors control content Newspapers still often tied to book stores, coffee shops Competition fact of life in larger cities Support could come through sales Circulations in 1775 estimated at 1,600 to 3,500 (up to 9,000 for Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette) Support could come through sponsorship/ subsidies; e.g., Boston Caucus Club supports Independent Advertiser Papers aligned by political faction Journalistic Roles Forum role: promote exchange of ideas, public discussion Agitator role Propagandize for the revolutionary cause (a free press supports freedom) Mobilize
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