In 1896, the year Tighsolas was built by Norman Nicholson, in Richmond, Quebec, an article on the ‘new journalism’ was published by an Arts and Cultural Magazine in Canada. Newspapers were the only ‘news’ media apart from gossip) in those days. Some people were critical of the influence these newspapers wielded, others complained that newspapers pandered to lazy intellects.
Newspapers were likely the only thing Norman Nicholson read, with the exception of the Bible.
This article is critical of both the tabloid aspects of the newspaper industry and of the lack of professional standards for editors and journalists. Seems what goes around comes around.
Here is an excerpt:
“A call went out for the best allegorical figure of THE PRESS. The keen-sighted little paper, LIFE, came out with a full page drawing in response: The daily press is represented by a tall hag with wild locks and insane eyes, standing in a public square; in her upraised and talon-like fingers she clutches a mass of dripping filth which forms a pool at her feet and her occupation is to sling the stuff at all the men, women and children in her aim.
There is almost in every city a daily newspaper of which this is a telling likeness. Its business managers has no enterprise that rises above the level of blackmail. Its editors are alert for stories of crime and sleepless in quest of scandal. The hanging of the criminal would call forth a special edition.
A newspaper we are told should have news and views in admirable balance, yet the news of this paper is unclean and its views purchaseable.
It keys its news to the tone of the vulgarian who delights to read of lust and murder, and its views are made and cheques received in little rooms at the rear of salons.
..
The editor of a daily newspaper reaches a congregation, not of five hundred, fifty two day a year, but of five thousand or fifty thousand over three hundred days a year. The editor’s message goes out in search of auditors and not only strengthens those who agree with him, but perhaps persuades those who do not agree.
Who are these men who wield this immence power and enjoy vast pre-eminence? They are not trained anywhere. They pass no examination of knowledge. They possess no certificate of character.
