Everything is prone to change and evolution over time, as Darwin already said. We don't need to be experts in the Theory of Evolution to know that journalism has changed a lot since its inception. From Gutenberg's printing press to... data usage Much has happened in the history of this profession in order to gather and produce a story.
Technology has always been present in the history of journalism and communication; after all, it has always been a great tool to facilitate interpersonal interactions around the world. There were periods when it was often said that "technology will be the end of journalism," but one thing we have learned is that there is always room to adapt and improve the way we communicate.
And do you know how journalism was born? It's natural to think of it as a paradox similar to the chicken and the egg, since telling stories has always been at the heart of human nature. Just think about the records of cave paintings; there we have a sample of records to report on how people lived and communicated.
Day Minutes
Considered the world's first newspaper, created in 59 BC in the Roman Empire under Julius Caesar's command, the Acta Diurna emerged as a way to publicize Caesar's military conquests and also to report on the expansion of the Empire.
With its daily "publications," the Acta Diurna gave rise to the world's first journalists: the Imperial Correspondents, who were sent to all Roman provinces to cover events and write about them.
Since printing technology did not yet exist, the Acta Diurna was produced on large white boards of paper and wood, much like a billboard. The boards were displayed in the main squares so that they could be read for free.
Another interesting fact about the Roman publication is that, because it wasn't an officially journalistic publication, it wasn't obligated to be impartial. It never published negative news about defeats of the Roman Army, much less scandals involving the Emperor's allies.
Johannes Gutenberg
This is the name of the person responsible for one of the greatest technological leaps in journalism. Back in the Middle Ages, this German made it possible for work that was previously done manually to be done by machines. This made the publication of newspapers and books faster, more widespread, and cheaper.
The inventor brought the printing press to the world, built on a technological basis using type, letters that could be moved. Even though today this seems very simple and still artisanal, Gutenberg's press was considered by many to be a step towards the Renaissance era, bringing about the awakening of professional journalism.
Radio and TV
With the birth of radio and television, journalism found itself in a new era, exploring previously uncharted territory. They were largely responsible for the beginning of journalism as a form of mass communication; after all, these media were created with the aim of reaching the largest possible number of listeners/viewers. Even today, they remain two very powerful means of communication within journalism, especially television.
The Internet and the Digital World
A period long considered uncertain for print journalism, as the internet arrived as a threat to the paper world of journalism. Large media outlets found themselves facing a major shift, and that's when online newspapers were born.
It started as a hybrid publication with content that wasn't very distinct until, over the years, journalists and communicators realized that digital language was nothing like print media. Newspapers adapted to the new reality, and in recent years many exclusively digital publications have emerged. Leon bet Portugal
The digital world is so integrated into journalism today that we can see many professionals in the field using and overusing data, statistics, applications, and everything that technology has to offer.
Realities may change, new technologies may emerge, but one thing will always remain present in journalism: the commitment to the truth and to the public.
