Fall 2005 • Volume 40, Number 1

notes AMONG THE MEDIA from the head Newsletter of the History Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conducting relevant, Secrets of the Penny Press if not ‘useful,’ research by Susan Thompson (which doesn’t have to be either) University of Montevallo Several years ago, a controversial resulted was my dissertation, “The By Dane S. Claussen article appeared in one of the leading Antebellum Penny Press,” and later, Point Park University journals regarding the “mythology” my book, The Penny Press (Northport, This past spring, when I was this of the penny press. According to AL: Vision Press, 2004). division’s vice-head/research chair, I the article by John Nerone, a num- I found that with all the hoop- noticed one paper that was rejected ber of facts normally associated with la surrounding objectivity and the for presentation at the AEJMC con- the history of the penny press were penny press, many historians had vention in San Antonio was criticized unsupported by data and possibly overlooked other important journal- by at least one judge for supposedly inaccurate. The association between ism practices that had developed on not making clear the significance the development of objectivity in the pages of the penny newspapers. of the research was. Apparently, the news reporting and the penny press These practices included the sudden judge thought, the paper had not was one of the “myths” identified. appearance of crisis news and crime answered the “so what?” question Several penny press authors news, staples of journalism from that that at least some of us academics responded to the article, some favor- time forward. It’s always dangerous demand of at least some research. ably and others not. What seemed to point to “firsts” in history, but Such attitudes always catch my to be missing from the discussion in the case of the penny press, the attention, because my latest book is was evidence based on rigorous, his- preoccupation with crime and crisis about magazine coverage of high- torical research with a reliance on events and continuing reports on the er education, specifically about primary source material. So, under same story were new to American evidence of anti-intellectualism in the careful guidance of David Sloan, journalism and marked a turning that coverage. (One factor that can- I rolled up my sleeves as a doctoral point. What’s more, these events not be overlooked is how extensive student at Alabama and blissfully were, for the first time, being report- anti-intellectualism is within higher dirtied my hands examining archives ed to tens of thousands of people on education, a phenomenon discussed from the antebellum period. What the same day. at length in The Last Intellectuals, In addition to crime and crisis by Russell Jacoby.) One manifes- news, the penny press introduced tation of U.S. anti-intellectualism, On the inside news stories that constitute the very as theorized by sociologist Daniel lifeblood of modern journalism. Rigney (based on historian Richard • History Division minutes page 3 The activities of the stock market, Hofstadter’s book, Anti-intellectual- • Calls for papers, page 8 the doings of high society, the antics ism in American Life) is “unreflec- of actors and entertainers, the move- tive instrumentalism,” which I have continued on page 4 continued on page 6 Florida historian wins 2004 book award by Patrick S. Washburn “The book surprised me with its Ohio University revelations about black radio’s role. Brian Ward, who teaches It’s an important story, well told,” history at the University she said. of Florida, has won the Ward is the author or editor annual History Division of three other books on African Book Award for 2004. American history. They are: Media, Ward won for his latest Culture, and the Modern African work, Radio and the Struggle American Freedom Struggle. His for Civil Rights in the South, other books are Just My Soul published by the University Responding: Rhythm and Blues, Press of Florida. Black Consciousness and Race One judge noted the Relations and The Making of book was “well written” and Martin Luther King and the “exhaustively researched” and Civil Rights Movement. draws from a “huge number of The History Division book sources.” award award is given for the “Ward shows a resourceful- best book on journalism and ness, a creativity, and a level of mass communications his- persistence and confidence greatly tory published in a given to be admired,” the judge wrote. year. It was presented at “Our knowledge of radio in the the History Division Civil Rights movement, without business meeting at the this book, would have scarcely AEJMC convention in been anything but fading memo- San Antonio. The win- ries. Ward brings a truly impressive ner receives a plaque and a understanding of African-American cash prize. and Southern culture and history to Seven books were nominated every paragraph.” ling scholarship” with impressive for the award, which the History Another judge called it “compel- depth and breadth in the research. Division has been giving since 1998. Committee seeks best book nominations The History Division of the Asso- gardless of whether he/she belongs to Entries must be postmarked no ciation for Education in Journalism AEJMC or the History Division. later than Feb. 4, 2006. and Mass Communication is solicit- Authorship is defined as the per- Three copies of each book must be ing entries for its award for the best son or persons who wrote the book, submitted, along with the author’s journalism and mass communication not just edited it. Only those books mailing address, telephone number history book of 2005. with a 2005 publication date will be and e-mail address, to: The award is given annually. The accepted. winning author will receive a plaque Compilations, anthologies, articles Patrick S. Washburn and a cash prize at the August 2006 and monographs will be excluded AEJMC History Book Award Chair AEJMC conference in San Francisco. because they qualify for the Covert E.W. Scripps School of Journalism The competition is open to any Award, another AEJMC History Di- Ohio University author of a relevant history book, re- vision competition. Athens, Ohio 45701

2 Clio Fall 2005 History Division had a good year With the exception of a few dis- The best attended panel was a Division, “The WLBT Case: Toward appointments, the History Division teaching session. More than 50 peo- Free Expression and Diversity in the had a good year in 2005, according ple gathered at the Alamo for a ses- Media,” addressed the landmark case to the annual report. sion that included film clips and mu- that established the need for broad- The Division built new relation- sic from the Davy Crockett movies casters to hire more minorities and ships with several other divisions, and series. cover news of interest to the entire including Entertainment Studies, Ginger Rudeseal Carter of Geor- viewing population they serve. The Graduate Studies, and Law, and con- gia College and State University or- case centered on whether the station tinued to nurture older relationships ganized the panel. Her co-panelists had fairly covered civil rights issues. with other divisions, 2005 Division included Bruce Winders, historian Other panels examined the history Head Pat McNeely wrote in the an- and curator for the Alamo; David R. of women journalists in Texas, pub- nual report. Davies of Southern Mississippi Uni- lic relations history beyond the usual The biggest disappointment was versity; and Randy Miller of the Uni- considerations of Edward Bernays the low number of paper submissions versity of South Florida. and P. T. Barnum, and the question received for the San Antonio confer- Two sessions co-sponsored by of what the core knowledge in jour- ence. Usually, at least 60 papers are the Law Division were also well at- nalism history should be. submitted to the History Division. tended. “Decisive Years in American The most popular session was the This year, the Division received only Journalism,” organized by W. Joseph research panel on war and war cor- 50 submissions. To maintain an ac- Campbell of American University, respondents moderated by David ceptance rate of 50 percent, only 25 addressed important years in journal- Copeland of Elon University. Other papers could be accepted for presen- ism history. In addition to Campbell, panelists included Patrick Washburn tation, and one “high density” slot panelists included Susan A. Thomp- of Ohio University; Bradley Hamm had to be given back to the organiza- son of the University of Montevallo; of Indiana University; and Shannon tion for use by other divisions. Kyu Ho Youm of the University of Martin of the University of Maine. However, attendance at history Oregon; and Debashis Aikat of the Between 10 and 25 people at- panels and research sessions increased University of North Carolina. tended each of the History Division- from 332 in 2004 to 388 this year. The second session with the Law sponsored research sessions.

Nominees sought for research awards The AEJMC Standing Committee people who have devoted substantial award. Late submissions will not be on Research is seeking nominations parts of their careers to promoting re- accepted. The packet should also in- for two important awards. search in mass communication. It is clude the nominee’s resume and let- The Paul J. Deutschmann Award named in honor of its first recipient, ters of support from colleagues who for Excellence in Research recognizes Eleanor Blum, a long-time commu- vouch for the candidate’s qualifica- a body of significant research over the nication librarian at the University of tions for the award. course of an individual’s career. The Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Nomination letters and packets award is named in honor of Paul J. These awards are not given every should be sent to Carolyn Kitch, Deutschmann, who developed the year, but nominations for both will Temple University, Department of College of Communication Arts at be considered in 2006. Nominations Journalism, 2020 N. 13th Street, Michigan State University. are due Nov. 15, 2005, and should Philadelphia, PA 19122-6080. Please The Eleanor Blum Distinguished include a letter describing the nom- direct any questions to Kitch at 215- Service to Research Award recognizes inee’s contributions in the area of the 204-5077 or [email protected].

Fall 2005 Clio 3 Secrets of the Penny Press continued from page 1

ments of political candidates, hard- publishers often making decisions port of objectivity by simply citing ships faced by the urban poor and based upon their intense concern for some of the outstanding, truthful, other social tragedies, sporting events, profits. Advertising allowed publish- and unbiased accounts that appeared severe weather conditions – all came ers to keep newspaper prices low and in the penny newspapers. to be considered big news items still realize substantial profits. It is interesting to note that a because of the penny press. The competitive spirit among handful of modern-day newspaper Several other modern journalism metropolitan dailies, innovations giants began as penny newspapers practices emerged in the decades prior in communication technology and in the antebellum period. The New to the Civil War, and the penny press newspaper production, timeliness York Times, Boston Herald, Baltimore embraced them all. As early as the of news items, and thus the speed Sun, New Orleans Times-Picayune, 1830s, penny dailies employed corre- of news reporting, assumed utmost Savannah Morning News, and spondents to report important news importance. Speed of news delivery Richmond Times-Dispatch, for exam- at all levels. In the 1840s, correspon- and thoroughness in the coverage of ple, all began as penny dailies prior dence from professional newsmen important news items locally, nation- to the Civil War. Several other penny and newswomen enthralled readers ally, and internationally emerged as newspapers that appeared before with detailed eyewitness accounts of important standards that would come 1861 published for more than a battles during the war with Mexico. to define excellence in American jour- century and served as American news Cooperative newsgathering efforts nalism from that time forward. leaders in the nineteenth and twen- among rival newspapers resulted in As for objectivity in reporting, tieth centuries. In the 1920s, the the eventual establishment of the one might simply point to the Moon New York Herald and the New York Associated Press. As different types of Hoax of 1835 or the biased reports Tribune merged to form the Herald- editorial and reportorial jobs became of correspondents to make a compel- Tribune. The New York Sun eventu- more clearly defined, the first press ling argument for the nonexistence ally merged with the Herald-Tribune clubs and associations sprang to life. of objectivity in reporting during and published until the late 1900s. The commercial nature of the the period. On the other hand, a The Philadelphia Public Ledger pub- newspaper business emerged fully, possible case could be made in sup- lished until the mid-1930s.

Best faculty, student papers are recognized at conference Carol Wilcox of Virginia State University won the best faculty paper award from the History Divisionthis clio year. Her paper was titled, “Squeez- AMONG THE MEDIA ing the ‘Exotic Bug’: Madrid Press Editor: Debbie van Tuyll (Augusta State University) Criticizes Hearst’s Coverage of a Cu- Webmaster: Kittrell Rushing (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga) ban Revolutionary.” Clio Among the Media is published quarterly by the History Division of the The top student paper, and winner Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. of the Price Award competition, was Submissions to Clio are welcome. Please send them to: Debbie van Tuyll, by Noah Arceneaux, a Ph.D. student Department of Languages, Literature and Communications, Augusta State at the University of Georgia. His pa- University, Augusta, GA 30904. Electronic copy, either disk or e-mail, is pre- per was titled, “How Much is That ferred. For information, contact Van Tuyll at 706/737-1500, or e-mail her at: Wireless in the Window? Depart- [email protected]. ment Stores and Radio Retailing in Recent issues of Clio may be accessed at: the 1920s.” http://www.utc.edu/Outreach/AEJMC-HistoryDivision/histpub.html

4 Clio Fall 2005 2005 History Division Minutes History Division Head Patricia McNeely sions in the field—discussions that (South Carolina) called the annu- attract top scholars, news profes- Division al members’ meeting to order at sionals, and graduate students. He 6:50 p.m. Sixteen members attend- said five-to-ten postings a week Officers, ed, including Division Secretary are typical and invited prospec- W. Joseph Campbell (American). tive members to join by visiting: 2005-06 Division Vice Head Dane Claussen http://www.h-net.org/~jhistory/. (Point Park) arrived later, owing to McNeely asked the members for Dane Claussen his duties of chairing the simultane- their preferences among the candi- (Point Park) ously scheduled members’ meeting of date cities for AEJMC’s convention Head the GLBT Interest Group, of which in 2009. The leading candidates were he is head. Boston, Cincinnati and Montreal. In W. Joseph Campbell The minutes of the Division’s their first vote, the members divided (American) annual members’ meeting in 2004 8–8 between Boston and Montreal. Vice Head in Toronto, Canada, were approved In their second vote, the members, as published in the Fall 2004 issue of by a 10–7 margin, expressed their Debbie van Tuyll Clio, the Division’s newsletter. preference for Boston. (Augusta State University) McNeely then called for the Pat Washburn (Ohio) announced Secretary/Newsletter Editor nomination and election of officers he would turn over duties of the for 2005–06. Claussen will be Division’s Book Award Chair if any Elliot King Division head and Campbell will be member were interested. (Loyola of Maryland) vice-head and research paper chair. Announcements about upcoming PF&R Chair Campbell nominated Debra van regional conferences followed. Those Tuyll (Augusta State) as secretary conferences include the Symposium Aleen J. Ratzlass and Clio editor for 2005–06. Her on the 19th Century Press, the (Tambor College) nomination was seconded and ratified Civil War, and Free Expression in Teaching Standards Chair by acclamation. Chattanooga, TN, in November Under new business, McNeely 2005; the Southeast Regional W. Joseph Campbell noted that the Division’s bylaws Colloquium in Tuscaloosa, AL, in Research Chair seem to be missing and that the early March 2006; and the joint AEJMC national headquarters in AEJMC History Division/American Kittrell Rushing Columbia, SC, could not locate a set. Journalism Historians Association (Tennessee-Chattanooga) Considerable discussion followed, Northeast conference at Fordham Webmaster during which former Division Head University at Lincoln Center in New Carolyn Kitch (Temple) said she York City in mid-March 2006. Patrick Washburn believed she had a set of the bylaws Elliot King (Loyola–Maryland) is (Ohio) and promised to search for the docu- seeking contributions in the range Book Award Chair ment. of 500 to 2,500 words for the David Mindich (St. Michael’s) Encyclopedia of American Journalism, Karen List presented a brief report about the of which he is general editor. (Massachusetts) JHISTORY listserv, which has more With no further business to Covert Award Chair than 450 members from a dozen or address, the meeting was adjourned so countries. Mindich noted that at 7:45 p.m. the listserv is home to some of the Submitted by most interesting and varied discus- W. Joseph Campbell

Fall 2005 Clio 5 Notes from the head Conducting relevant, if not ‘useful,’ research continued from page 1 paraphrased as being “beliefs and viduals and other organizations, the less and 300 dead). Also notable behavior indicating that knowledge is paper’s significance also should have were the April 20, 1927, flooding at worthless unless it immediately and been self-evident. When one of us Greenville, MS (500 dead; 162,000 directly leads to material gain, such conducts original historical research, homes flooded); the Jan. 22, 1937, as profits or higher wages.” must we belabor exactly how and Ohio River and Mississippi River I think it will be obvious to any- why it is original? Apparently that’s floods (380 dead; almost 1 million one who is reading this that historical what the judge wanted, but I thought left homeless); and the Aug. 17, research rarely leads to such material that’s what literature reviews are for 1969, Hurricane Camille (256 dead); gain (unless one is Michael Beschloss, —whether completed by social sci- and the Sept. 21-23, 1998, Hurricane David McCullough, or the plagiarist entists and formally reported or com- George (600 dead in the Caribbean Stephen Ambrose and Doris Kearns pleted by historians and woven into and the United States). Goodwin, etc.) and that if we start narrative and endnotes. Although media coverage of applying this criterion to histori- Ironically, Hurricane Katrina gives weather has received relatively little cal research, then the game is over. us journalism historians a fascinat- attention, a few helpful articles exist And I would argue that demanding ing opportunity to conduct research in the social scientific literature, such the purpose(s) of much historical that should seem at least relevant, if as “News of Hurricane Andrew: The research be articulated is getting close not exactly useful. As of this writing, Agenda Sources and the Sources’ to that; in other words, much histori- I (and most other Americans) have Agenda,” by Michael B. Salwen cal research is knowledge for the sake sat through weeks of the news media (Journalism and Mass Communication of knowledge, and I use that phrase telling us that Hurricane Katrina Quarterly, Winter 1995). A media supportively, not dismissively. was the largest natural disaster in historian certainly could research Perhaps, you say, the judge wasn’t American history. They all but tell patterns in sources in disaster stories being an unreflective instrumentalist, us that no other disaster in U.S. his- throughout history. but was merely was more narrowly tory has been as extensively covered, A media historian could conduct claiming that the paper in ques- and there is a lot of rhetoric about research to identify and explain tion had not made a good enough how news reporters, in covering the instances (since the widespread prac- case for its significance or originality Hurricane’s aftermath, are allowing tice of modern, so-called objective within the narrow confines of mass themselves to be emotional for the reporting) in which hard news jour- communication history. Maybe. But first time, or for the first time in a nalists (as opposed to, say, sports the judge didn’t point out that this long time, or whatever. staffers) expressed their own emo- new paper repeated research that Media historians certainly could tions in covering various manmade had already been done—regardless of consider conducting research over and natural disasters—and what the whether such research was cited—let the next few months about how public reaction to that was. alone that this paper’s author had national magazines and metropoli- (At least one of my graduate stu- overlooked it. Moreover, the paper at tan newspapers covered such events dents is cheering what she regards as issue was overwhelmingly and obvi- as the San Francisco Earthquake of the awakening [and resulting emo- ously based on archival research, orig- 1906 (which left about 225,000 to tionalism] of national journalists inal archival research to be sure. The 300,000 people homeless and actu- to the incompetence of the Bush bottom line is that the paper’s origi- ally killed 3,000-6,000 people—far administration after giving it a pass nality was self-evident, and given that more than the official claim of 478); for so long. Regardless of whether the paper was about a large organiza- the May 31, 1889, Johnstown, PA, one agrees with the premise of her tion which, without question, direct- flood (2,209 dead); or the Great ly and indirectly influenced indi- Chicago Fire of 1871 (90,000 home- continued on next page

6 Clio Fall 2005 Two share 2005 Covert award for best article in comm history Salutory Two scholars of gender and of Vigilance: Gender, Politics, and In the middle part of the 19th communications share the 21st the Press in Early San Francisco,” century, whenever someone new as- annual Covert Award in Mass published in the Pacific Historical sumed the editor’s tripod, he (and Communications History. Review in 2004. on very rare occasions, she) would They are Susan Henry, a profes- This is the first time two articles offer his aspirations for the publica- sor in the journalism department tied for the award that was endowed tion in an editorial headlined, “Sa- at California State University- by the late Catherine Covert, a pro- lutory.” Northridge, and Michelle Jolly, fessor of public communications at As one who spends most of her an assistant professor in the his- Syracuse University and former head spare time rummaging around in tory department at Sonoma State of the AEJMC History Division. 19th century newspapers, it seems University. The award is given to the article or only natural that I indulge in the Henry won the award for chapter in an edited collection that same practice in my first issue as “Gambling on a Magazine and a represents the year’s best essay in mass Clio editor. Marriage: Jane Grant, Harold Ross, communication history. One story in particular deserves and the New Yorker,” published in Karen List of the University of comment, and perhaps a bit of dis- Journalism History in Summer 2004. Massachusetts (1992) chaired the closure: Susan Thompson’s article Jolly won the award for “The Price committee. on the penny press. Thompson has published a new Notes from the head history of the penny press that is impressive in its research and scope. Conducting relevant, if not ‘useful,’ research It’s a work I had the privilege of continued from previous page watching develop from conception point, I told her that generally the in the media coverage of Hurricane through completion since Thomp- American public does not allow doc- Katrina. I told her I was confident son and I have an association that tors, nurses, police officers, firefight- that someone would, but I didn’t tell goes back to the early 1980s when ers, judges, airline pilots, air traffic her that researching the entire his- we worked in the same newsroom. controllers or other professionals to tory of U.S. journalists attempting One of the practices I hope to in- become emotional in stressful and to cover subjects about which they stitute during my year as Clio editor critical moments, and I don’t know knew little or nothing would instead is running pieces like Thompson’s why we would or should expect any require a rather lengthy book. Or that might stimulate an idea for less of journalists.) that such a book, while arguably sig- teaching or researching a topic, or A media historian could research nificant and even relevant, wouldn’t that might give division members how news media have or have not be particularly useful. a better “feel” for the key issues re- covered the recovery periods after lated to some topic out of media previous major disasters, and what history. AEJMC conventions In the winter edition, we’ll have patterns in that coverage may or may in years ahead not say about the attention spans an article by Elliot King of Loyola (among other things) of journalists 2006: San Francisco University-Maryland that considers and/or their audiences. (Marriott), August 2-5 the core knowledge in journalism history. One of my graduate students 2007: Washington, D.C. asked me if mass communication (Renaissance), August 9-12 I hope all of you will consider scholars would be writing articles submitting a piece about your area 2008: Chicago of specialization. and papers documenting erroneously (Marriott Downtown), August 6-9 used weather terms and other jargon Debbie van Tuyll

Fall 2005 Clio 7 Calls for papers and upcoming conferences

AEJMC History Division in Tuscaloosa, AL. will close with a roundtable discussion 2006 panel proposals Papers dealing with history, news- about core knowledge in journalism papers, law, magazines, and radio and history in which all attendees will be Panel proposals for the 2006 History television journalism will be accept- welcome to participate. Acceptance Division program are due by Oct. 15. ed. There is also an open division. Pa- notification date is Feb. 4, 2006. The Division is open to proposals pers must be postmarked by Monday, Send all submissions by Jan. 5, from any time period and regarding Nov. 28, 2005. 2006 to: any form of mass communication. Conference information is avail- Dr. Elliot King Panels may deal with ideas for teaching able from http://www.aejmc_sec06. Department of Communication or researching mass communications ccom.ua.edu/. Loyola College in Maryland history, or professional freedom and For more information, contact 4501 N. Charles St. responsibility. Wilson Lowrey at (205) 348-8608. Baltimore, MD 21210, Panels dealing with teaching ideas E-Mail: [email protected] should be sent to: Send copy of Electronic Submission Dr. Aleen J. Ratzlaff Joint Spring Meeting to [email protected]. Communications Department American Journalism Are you willing to serve on the Tabor College Historians Association organizing committee and/or review 400S Jefferson and the submissions? If so, please contact Hillsboro, KS 67063 AEJMC History Division Elliot King [email protected]. Tel: 410-356-3943 Panels dealing with professional You are invited to submit papers freedom and responsibility should be and abstracts (250 to 500 words), sent to: research in progress, and proposals for panels to the AJHA-AEJMC History Media History in Canada Dr. Elliot W. King Division Joint Spring meeting. Ryerson University, Toronto, Ont. Media Studies Department The Conference will be Saturday, 4501 N. Charlest St. March 18, 2006, at Fordham Paper submissions are sought for a Baltimore, MD 2120 University-Lincoln Center. Regist- conference on Canadian media his- Panels dealing with research topics ration cost is $40. tory. Anyone, Canadian or not, may should be sent to: We are particularly interested submit papers that deal with Ca- in innovative ideas to liven up this nadian media history, including Ca- Dr. W. Joseph Campbell intimate, interdisciplinary, interesting nadian scholars working on me- American University academic gathering. We are interested dia history outside Canada. Univer- 4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW in all areas of journalism and sity faculty, graduate students and in- Washington, D.C. 20016-8017 communication history from all time dependent scholars are all encour- periods and welcome scholars from aged to submit proposals for origi- all academic disciplines and stages nal research papers or panels. of their academic careers. Abstracts For more details, contact: AEJMC Southeast Colloquium should contain a compelling rationale seeks paper proposals why the research is of interest to an Gene Allen, Ph. D. interdisciplinary community of Associate Professor Papers are sought for presentation scholars. (Electronic submissions School of Journalism at the AEJMC Southeast Colloquium, preferred. Please send three copies of Ryerson University, Toronto which will meet March 2 to March 4 hard copy submissions). The program e-mail address: g1allen@ ryerson.ca

8 Clio Fall 2005