History and Context of Journalism: The First Lecture

On Friday I experienced my first lecture as part of my Journalism course at The University of Winchester. I learnt that Journalism has so many fascinating historical and philosophical aspects.

Epistemology is the study of knowledge itself and shows that as Journalists there are many different aspects of knowledge we need to learn in order to use the information we provide the level of accuracy it needs. It brings up many unanswerable questions like what truly did come first the Chicken or the Egg?? 

 Quine's web of belief suggests that not one belief is isolated; therefore what our beliefs are as individuals is a valid opinion. However are we meant to believe that everything we are told is true? As children we are naive and impressionable, we believe what we are told as what are told is usually by figures of authority mainly our parents. 

It is not until later on that we realise that what we are told as children is generally false information used by our parents to protect us and to ensure that we did the right thing. However can we really tell that everything we were told by our parents was exactly the same as their parents told our friends. Every opinion is different and will be interpreted in many different ways

Then there is the historical side. I have always been fascinated with history and have the privilege to divulge into some of the most important periods in history. The Renaissance was the cultural movement that defined the basis of cultural learning that has reflected and helped mankind develop over time. It was not since the rise and fall of the Greco-Roman civilisation has they been a movement which has defined how society acts and works today. If it was not for the Renaissance I dread to think how society would of developed and if we would of the technological advances we have today.

If the 1400's and The Renaissance developed the thoughts and opinions within western society, then The Enlightenment of the 1600's and the invention of the printing press was the most significant invention in history according to Albert Einstein.  It helped develop the significance of the written word and helped establish the newspapers that exist today. 

Voltaire was a name I had only previously heard in a teen comedy. However when I looked further I realised that the French philosopher notorious wit and ideas had helped develop some of the most historical moments in history most notably the French and American revolutions. He is also famous for the quote "I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write". 

Even though the historical limitations to whether this quote is true, it expresses that Voltaire was a true believer in the written word and the need for opinions to be written down and expressed to the general public. 

One man who listened to this was Joseph Addison, the man perceived as the first British Journalist and the founder of The Spectator. The Spectator was the first daily British newspaper and helped base the foundations which lie within the newspapers of modern day.

The stated goal of The Spectator was "To enliven morality with wit, and to temper wit with morality... to bring philosophy out of the closets and and libraries, schools and colleges, to dwell in clubs and assemblies, at tea-tables and coffeehouses".  If this is the case then I feel that The Spectator has succeeded as where ever you go you will find someone reading an newspaper. It helped within 100 years establish the invention of the printing press to the invention of the novel. 

I have researched Joseph Addison life and have realised if it was not for Addison and helping establish the invention of the daily newspaper then the ideas and opinions that are expressed by journalists all over the world may not of been able to been given the opportunity to be read and discussed. 

This first lecture has left me intrigued into learning the historical and philosophical moments that will help structure the course and help me learn and obtain the tools I need to be a successful Journalist. I am defiantly looking forward to what the next lecture has in store!