How Newspapers Are Made Documentary

‘How Newspapers are Made Documentary’ is a definitive type of documentary that covers the age of Pre-Press till the scientific way of acquiring news. It has been hosted by several veteran experts in the field of Press and Communication. This documentary explains the role of Newspapers mainly in the world of Politics and War. It records the major historical events of the 19th and 20th century, with special emphasis on the contribution of Print Media and Communication.

The Documentary initially begins with the scene of a press-room equipped with huge machines and sources for power generation. It gradually shifts to the White-House scenes and the ongoing political affairs. With growing interest in the political events, it was difficult for the newspapers to keep pace with the flow of information. The power of Print Media was at it’s zenith. Newspapers could overthrow as well as overturn the President as an unaccountable leader or even a dictator. Reporters were on high plane in a democratic or free-will society. As well said by the White-House Correspondent, “News in the White House were managed, manipulated and controlled to a large extent”.The documentary meticulously explains the history of Newspapers from the Propagandas in Revolutionary War to the increasing Satellite Communication.

The first form of Communication was the spoken-word or word-of-mouth communication. Invention of the Printing Press by Gutenberg changed the entire course of human history. The mechanism of metallic printing found its usage in many parts of the world. One of the earliest use of it was by Christopher Columbus in his letter to the Queen. Printing Press gained its major importance in the 1830s with the invention of Steam Engine. Papers started being published in thousands and it’s easy affordability further increased its audience reach. The creation of Telegraph marked the beginning era of Science and Technology in the field of Communication. Competition between the Reporters and journalists dramatically increased with the coming of Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The strategy of blending Sensationalism with Entertainment gained immense popularity by the late 19th century. The Yellow Journalism became the most widely read sensational news. The primary idea of using this strategy was to evoke the emotional stances of the audience and focussing on news other than Politics and War.

Another form of Journalism called the Investigative Journalism or Muckracking was gaining the world’s attention. The contribution by Nellie Bly in revealing the torturous secrets of the Asylums was a remarkable new found discovery in the field of Journalism. With passing time, Journalism went through several stages and new findings; until the end of 20th century when various modes of Mass Communication started coming up. The unforeseen assassination of John F. Kennedy and the destruction caused by Vietnam War was better covered in Televisions and Radios than any Newspaper. The idea of receiving the first hand information by the Print Industry met its decline. More and more public were easily pulled away from Newspapers every day.

The modern days’ inclination towards Digital Technology has expanding positive effects and larger audience cover. Though less, but the importance of Newspapers do not fail to educate as well as inform the older and newer generation. Its easy accessibility and affordability rule the hearts of uncountable people. The title of the Documentary is appropriately decided, reflecting on the power held by the Newspapers since decades.