The Year That Defined American Journalism

Joseph Campbell talked about his book, The Year That Defined American Journalism, published by Routledge. In his book he examines the year 1897, when journalism was becoming 'big business." He describes changes in ethical standards and journalistic practices in 1897, and identifies conflicting journalism styles of three media giants: William Randolph Hearst, Adolph Ochs and Lincoln Steffens. The outcome of the 1897 conflict between the activist “yellow journalism” of William Randolph Hearst and its objective antithesis represented by the New York Times reshaped the profession and gave American journalism its modern contours. Mr. Campbell also identifies parallels between 19th century and modern day journalism. That year also brought the establishment of the White House Press Corps; the introduction of half-tone photographs to newspaper printing; the publication of American journalism’s most famous editorial, "Is There A Santa Claus?"; and the inauguration of newspaper history’s lon close