VAByline information - Spring 2007: Chad Rummel, Oakton High School, has an article in the Spring 07 edition of the VAByline dealing with advertising. We are attaching a copy of this rate sheet for your review and use.
Newspaper History:
In order to publish the government’s official communication, each of the colonies was allowed a printing office, established by the Governor. The concept of the newspaper as an extension of the government did not set well with all colonists, especially when the fate of America’s first newspaper was remembered.
Publick Occurences both Foreign and Domestick was the first American newspaper. Its first, and last, issue appeared on September 25, 1690. The three printed and one blank page were printed by Richard Pierce and Benjamin Harris in Boston without prior review. The Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, not pleased with its content, prohibited further issues.
Beginning a Newspaper in the Colonies
The Boston News-Letter, the second newspaper published in the American colonies, began May 15, 1704, and continued until 1776. The New England Courant (1721-26), the fourth newspaper published in Boston, was printed by James Franklin, older brother of Benjamin Franklin. In its essays written by "Couranteers," the Courant was the first newspaper offering sustained opinions critical of the colony’s government.
Criticism of New York’s Colonial Governor William Cosby sent John Peter Zenger to jail on November 17, 1734. Publisher of the year-old New York Weekly Journal, Zenger was charged with seditious libel against the Royal Governor. The Weekly Journal was the opposition newspaper to the Crown’s newspaper. Cosby ordered the royal hangman to burn in public copies of the Weekly Journal (numbers 7, 47, 48 and 49) containing the offending editorials. On August 4, 1735, Zenger’s defense attorney, Andrew Hamilton, summed up the case before the jury:
The question before the Court ... is not of small nor private concern, it is not the cause of a poor printer, nor of New York alone, which you are now trying. No! It may in its consequences affect every freeman that lives under a British government on the main of America.... I make no doubt but your upright conduct this day will not only entitle you to the love and esteem of your fellow citizens; but every man who prefers freedom to a life of slavery will bless and honor you as men who have baffled the attempt of tyranny; and by an impartial and uncorrupt verdict, have laid a noble foundation for securing to ourselves, our posterity, and our neighbors that to which nature and the laws of our country have given us a right -- and liberty -- both of exposing and opposing arbitrary power ... by speaking and writing truth....
The New York Weekly Journal of August 18, 1735, reported, "The jury returned in Ten Minutes, and found me Not Guilty." This was the first time truth was declared a defense against libel.
Establishing the Press in VirginiaAlthough a printing press was brought to Jamestown in 1682, 75 years after the founding of the colony, printing was not permitted. King James II, had decreed that "no person be permitted to use any press for printing upon any occasion whatsoever." Sir William Berkeley, the Royal Governor of Virginia, agreed and stated: "I thank God, there are no free schools nor printing, and I hope we shall not have these [for a] hundred years; for learning has brought disobedience, and heresy, and sects into the world, and printing has divulged them, and libels against the best government. God keep us from both."
The Virginia Gazette, the first newspaper in Virginia was established in Williamsburg, the capital city. The Gazette’s first issue was printed on either August 6 or August 26, 1736, by William Parks. Since the Virginia Gazette was the only newspaper in the Commonwealth, the Virginia Assembly declared that all laws must be published in the Virginia Gazette. It is no surprise then that the next newspapers established were called the Virginia Gazette so their publishers could collect fees from the government for printing the laws of the Commonwealth.
Guaranteeing a Free Press in AmericaThe inclusion of the guarantee of freedom of the press in the First Amendment was founded in experience and a commitment to a government of the people, by the people and for the people. As Virginian and main author of the First Amendment James Madison stated, “A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.”
For more information and illustrations of early newspapers in the United States, visit Communications History: United States, 15-85-1880. Visit these lessons and activities for use with your newspaper staff.