Text Technology: Newspapers
Case Study: The London Gazette
The London Gazette is described as the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published newspaper and is the official newspaper of record for the United Kingdom. First published in 1665 in the reign of Charles II when the Great Plague of London forced the King and his court to move to Oxford, from there the Gazette was published to issue official news of events in the kingdom. Then called the Oxford Gazette, it was changed to London Gazette when the King moved back to London.
During the 17th Century, it was believed that national efficiency depended on the intelligence received by the Crown and that the reckless publishing of news might endanger it. An embargo on the printing of news other than reports of events abroad, natural disasters, royal declarations and sensational crime continued until 1640. This had the effect of delaying the development of the press in the UK. Censorship was introduced in 1643, followed by licensing of news publications.
During the 17th Century, it was believed that national efficiency depended on the intelligence received by the Crown and that the reckless publishing of news might endanger it. An embargo on the printing of news other than reports of events abroad, natural disasters, royal declarations and sensational crime continued until 1640. This had the effect of delaying the development of the press in the UK. Censorship was introduced in 1643, followed by licensing of news publications.
Bibliography
- http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/about/history
- http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/articles/london_gazette.html
- http://faculty.goucher.edu/eng211/London_Gazette_24_Jan_1688.htm
Research Questions
1. How was the Gazette first printed?
2. How is its layout similar to modern newspapers? How is it different?
5. What types of information did/does the Gazette include?
- The Gazette was first printed as a "broadsheet," a double-sided folio page roughly 11 inches by 5
2. How is its layout similar to modern newspapers? How is it different?
- The Headline is at the top, and the content is laid out in columns with the most important information at the top. There is also a date and issue number. The advertising in modern newspapers has made its way on to the front page, and there are often more photographs in modern papers. These first papers were more informative than profit driven.
- The London Gazette started life as the Oxford Gazette and after a few months changed to its current title when King Charles II moved his court back to London from Oxford.
- An embargo on the printing of news other than reports of events abroad, natural disasters, royal declarations and sensational crime continued until 1640. This had the effect of delaying the development of the press in the UK. Censorship was introduced in 1643, followed by licensing of news publications.
5. What types of information did/does the Gazette include?
- For 350 years the Gazette has included Government news, regulatory and legal information, and trade and business news. During its history it has brought official news of the Battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo, the death of Napoleon on St Helena, and the birth of Queen Elizabeth II.