1.02 Evolution of American Journalism

      In this lesson, 1.02 Evolution of American Journalism on Florida Virtual School, I discovered heaps, piles, and even loads of information. Not, literally of course, but at every corner of the lesson,  I felt like I found out something I didn't know before, kind of like finding those pants in the drier you never knew you had or that dollar or two in the pocket of one of your favorite jackets. Some of the facts I acquired while reading the unit were the origins and history behind journalism and how it evolved and formed into this beautiful work of art we know today. I never thought journalism had roots that far back in time and enlightened so many people, nor did I know Benjamin Franklin wrote one of the very first well-known newspapers of the colonies in 1729. It seems to me, Mr.Franklin did a lot more in his spare time other than founding our country and creating some of the greatest innovations of our century. 

    My thoughts on early American journalism is nothing else but wholesome gratitude. Without the continuous hard work of many enlightened people and ideals at the time, we would not be able to communicate the way we do or even have freedom of speech and the press. Our founding fathers knew American mouths needed to be heard, not silenced in order to form a more perfect union. Think about it, our nation is built on stilts and frameworks of rebellion and speaking up for what you believe in even if persecution follows. In order to stay in contact with others and know what's taking place around the states, American's went through great lengths to receive news. Some of these remarkable efforts include putting newspapers together by hand, not being able to use the delete key, and even traveling far distances to see what's going on around the world, whereas nowadays we can get the same information at the snap of our fingers. 

       Just think about it. If freedom of the press were not guaranteed many people of all walks of life would be scared to death and shaking in their boots at the thought of saying what's truly on their mind and going on around the world. Before, in many dictatorship governments, those who opposed or went against something or someone the ruler didn't agree with, would be persecuted. As a result, not only would people hold fear in their hearts at the thought of being punished, but also, if freedom of the press were not guaranteed, this would allow many corrupt officials to take advantage of this loop in the government and use it to harm or scare others. In essence, it could possibly lead to the downfall of a nation. I am hoping to learn more information on the history of journalism throughout the world and key figures that helped turn this fairly new uncommon ordeal into a daily part of American life.