The mythology of the penny press

Abstract

In this essay, I examine common scholarly characterizations of the U.S. penny press of the 1830s and 40s that together provide a myth of origins of the contemporary U.S. press. I criticize inaccuracies and misleading elements in this mythology, especially regarding the political stance, readership, and content of the penny papers and their role in “revolutionizing” U.S. journalism. I also criticize the implications of this mythology for subsequent debate about U.S. journalism, especially regarding the relationship between objectivity, market forces, and freedom of the press. [Editor's Note: An exchange between four journalism history scholars and Nerone follows this essay.]