Journalistic Standards in Nineteenth-Century America Review

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(More customer reviews)"News" in the earliest American newspapers was primarily idea-oriented and political. By the Civil War, it was becoming more personal and sensational. By the end of the century, an entertainment factor was added to the equation. What should be an interesting and lively account of a fascinating subject, however, comes across as a mere textbook--dull and superficial. A disappointing book.

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In the early nineteenth century, critics believed the press was destroying social structure—eroding law and order and the institutions of the family, religion, and education. To counter these effects they advocated, among other things, eradicating Sunday newspapers and "subversive" content such as news of crime, sex, and sporting events. Dicken-Garcia traces the relationship between societal values and the press coverage of issues and events. Setting out to tame the press by understanding it, she argues, critics had begun to dissect it. In the process, they articulated the rudiments of journalistic theory, and proposed what issues should be addressed by journalists, what functions should be undertaken, and what standards should be imposed.

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