The Guttenberg print press, invented in 1440, changed everything.
Ordinary people now had access to information, ideas & narratives from all sorts of perspectives, thus breaking the stranglehold on the elite's domination.
A THREAD about the history of the UK press & journalism, focusing on how the 'radical press' transformed Britain.
I believe we're experiencing something similar now, with outlets like @BylineTimes, @DoubleDownNews & many others challenging the dominant free-market narrative.
The Guttenberg print press, invented in 1440, changed everything.
Ordinary people now had access to information, ideas & narratives from all sorts of perspectives, thus breaking the stranglehold on the elite's domination.
Very early journalism focused on self-improvement, law, medicine, events & entertainment.
In 1550, only 15% of adult population can read; by 1650, nearly 50% of the adult population read.
And this gives rise to the birth of Journalism as we recognise it today.
The elites are rattled, so they attempt to control information & publications: Britain experiences censorship, illegal books are seized, imprisonments, the licencing of printers, regulation of what is published.
In terms of early 'newspapers, news, things start to take off from the beginning of 17th century – the middle classes are ‘early adopters’.
In the 1620s we get the 'weekley newes', arguably the first regular English newspaper, mainly dull international news, owned by Nathaniel Butter,
The Oxford/London Gazette 1665 uses columns for the first time. It was available to all, & is still going, our oldest newspaper.
Recogniseable #propaganda emerges (insider stories planted, personal attacks etc) and there's a nationwide debate debate over 'Freedom of expression'.
The concept of a 'free press' emerges, & they pioneer the development of techniques such as petitioning & pamphleting to reach wider audiences.
But Britain has a national postal service, so people write to each other, & find alternative ways of disseminating information, & direct state censorship ends by 1700.
By 1760, there are 89 London newspapers.
Entrepreneurs capitalise! We get embryonic 'News agents' selling a huge variety of publications - trade papers, political, literary journals, gossip, scandal, manners & moral instruction.
The seemingly insatiable appetite for news make newspapers highly profitable.
Commerce becomes more important generally in Britain around this time, & there's a demand for trade news - & there is financial growth - it's boom time (for some at least).
But the rise of the commercial middle classes begins to change this situation.
The 1712 stamp act introduces a 'tax' on newspapers, & between 1712 & 1815 there is a crippling 800% increase in taxes on newspapers, which results in the decline of news critical of the Govt.
UK Parliament had been around since 13th century, but the 1707 Treaty of Union brought countries together: 'Great Britain'.
Into this situation steps British radical John Wilkes, writer in the The North Briton from1762 - 1771. He's very critical of the Govt, & becomes a 'cause celebre', for his outspoken attacks.
By 1771, the ban on Parliamentary reporting is lifted.
The period between 1750 - 1850 sees profound changes:
The industrial revolution sees the emergence of new classes. there are profound changes in work, families, sexual relations, & a growing distinction between urban vs rural.
There's a huge struggle over participation in political system, & a struggle over control of system of mass communication.
The bourgeoisie (middle class) have success with their newspapers the Times, & the Manchester Guardian, & they're against the aristocracy AND the working class!
This period coincides with a shift toward the age of mass circulation and huge advertising revenue.
The working class get more vocal & organised in their demand for reforms: eg in 1835 most kids only get some schooling for one year, but after campaigns, the education Act 1870 all kids school til 12.
The further rise of the radical press includes William Cobbett's Weekly Political Register (1802-1835).
He pushes the idea that the labouring classes are & must be considered equal with others.
Nothing changes eh!
Radical newspapers increase in number & in reach.
I'll just flag up a few of the more significant & influential ones:
Thomas Wooler's Black Dwarf 1817 - 21
William Sherwin's Political Register (leading to Hansard) 1802 - 35
Richard Carlile's The Republican 1817 -1 9
John Wade's The Gorgon 1818 - 19
They ALL advocated for the working classes to organise!
Workers get more organised, & representatives start challenging employers. Unions from different professions start to join together. In 1799 trade unions were banned from collective bargaining.
In 1819, only landowners can vote!
The Government was freaking out – they were terrified of losing control to the masses!
- any meeting for radical reform was seen as "an overt act of treasonable conspiracy"
- the Training Prevention Act meant no military training of any sort was to be conducted only by municipal bodies & above.
- the Misdemeanours Act increased the speed of the administration of 'justice' by reducing the opportunities for bail & allowing for speedier court processing.
- the Blasphemous & Seditious Libels gave more punitive sentences for the authors (up to 14 years in jail or, transportation).
These brutal & horrific Acts ended the first phase of radical press.
However, by 1850, 75% of the working class could read.
"It is the cause of the rabble we advocate, the poor, the suffering, the industrious, the productive classes... we will teach this rabble their power - we will teach them that they are your master, instead of being your slave"
The Poor Man's Guardian, 1831-35 was another.
The National Union of Working Classes formed, demanding universal suffrage!
Chartism articulated aims & objectives for the working class, including: universal suffrage; secret ballots, & the removal of need to be a landowner to be an MP.
In 1832 Parliament passed the Great Reform Act, which finally gave seats to large cities.
By 1843, we have the News of the World!
Stamp duty was abolished in 1855, but many of the most important demands been achieved, & Unions were far more organised & effective.
Philanthropists began to provide schools, baths, housing, clean water etc. & there's a decline in militancy & an increase in publications designed to improve working classes through hygiene & temperance.
More from Journalism
@cjkink If you were a true journalist, you'd do your own research about the capitol riots. Instead, you focus on 'orange man cult'. The video used in the sham impeachment of a private US citizen was of JaydenX (AKA Jake Sullivan, a known Antifa). Jake has organized riots before.
He's been charged numerous times and released. He's probably being paid by Obama's terrorist networks. If you had done your research, you would have scoured JaydenX website https://t.co/OMU7vEzIKa It's quite simple...go to newsletter, then archive, then Jan 2021 and you'll see
Let me help you with a little bit of your FAKE JOURNALISM. Here's a few screencaps. JaydenX organized, advertised, and orchestrated the attack upon the Capitol. He wore a go-pro cam on his hat to help him fulfill/document his actions. He hated TRUMP and wanted to dump Trump!
JaydenX wanted the fascist out of the White House. He instructed his Antifa Comrades to dress like Proud Boys (he personally wore Trump gear while rioting, despite him hating Trump). He trolled MAGA people and knew where they were lodging in hotels throughout DC and VA.
It helped JaydenX and his vile crew to be staying in the same hotels as they mixed in nicely with the MAGA people. In addition, JaydenX ordered his Antifa comrades to bring tactical gear and wear bullet-proof vests. MAGA people NEVER bring umbrellas or crowbars to rallies.
He's been charged numerous times and released. He's probably being paid by Obama's terrorist networks. If you had done your research, you would have scoured JaydenX website https://t.co/OMU7vEzIKa It's quite simple...go to newsletter, then archive, then Jan 2021 and you'll see
Let me help you with a little bit of your FAKE JOURNALISM. Here's a few screencaps. JaydenX organized, advertised, and orchestrated the attack upon the Capitol. He wore a go-pro cam on his hat to help him fulfill/document his actions. He hated TRUMP and wanted to dump Trump!
JaydenX wanted the fascist out of the White House. He instructed his Antifa Comrades to dress like Proud Boys (he personally wore Trump gear while rioting, despite him hating Trump). He trolled MAGA people and knew where they were lodging in hotels throughout DC and VA.
It helped JaydenX and his vile crew to be staying in the same hotels as they mixed in nicely with the MAGA people. In addition, JaydenX ordered his Antifa comrades to bring tactical gear and wear bullet-proof vests. MAGA people NEVER bring umbrellas or crowbars to rallies.
