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Example research essay topic: Pulitzer Prize York World - 1,942 words

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Joseph Pulitzer Joseph Pulitzer is considered to be a father of principles upon which modern journalism is built. His name is now linked with Pulitzer's Award for outstanding achievements in the field of journalism. At the end of 19 century, Pulitzer stood as an embodiment of everything, that we associate American journalism with. It is known throughout the world for its most distinctive quality sensationalism. He was born in Hungary on April 10, 1847 in wealthy Jewish family. After receiving a good education, Pulitzer tried to enlist into Austro-Hungarian army, but could not succeed with it, because of his poor eyesight.

He immigrated to America than in 1864 and joined the Union Army. After the end of Civil War, Pulitzer went to St. Louis where he held many odd jobs, one of which was burying the dead during the outbreak of cholera in 1866. There were many Germans living in St. Louis at the time, they even had their own newspaper published Westliche Post.

Pulitzer was offered a position of reporter there, which he gratefully accepted. That marks the time when he realized that being a journalist is his true calling. His obsession with politics dates back to around the same time, when he had won as a Republican representative in 1869 elections to Missouri State Legislature. He became captivated with how mechanism of government works and it didnt take him too long to realize that the modern newspapers typing technology truly makes journalism a very powerful weapon in hands of politicians. By 1872 Pulitzer had enough money saved to buy Post newspaper for about three thousands dollars. Within a year, this newspaper became five times as profitable, so by the year of 1872 Pulitzer was also able to buy St.

Louis Dispatch that he later merged with Post into one St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper. Yet, Pulitzer was yearning for much bigger audience, so he decided to buy a New York World in 1883 for huge amount of 346 thousands dollars. After this he moved with his family to New York, where he began editing this newspaper, although he retained his ownership rights over Post-Dispatch. Because of Pulitzer's extraordinary talent in managing this newspaper, its circulation increased from 15. 000 in 1883 to 150. 000 by 1888.

Pulitzer's approach to what modern newspaper was suppose to be all about, has resulted in two innovative methods of its editing. First of all, he insisted on newspapers ability to catch attention by visual means. Within two weeks of becoming the owner of New York World, Pulitzer introduced a multi-column headlines on its pages, which was very unusual and innovative by that time. Yet it did produce in sharply increased numbers of newspaper being sold. Another Pulitzer's innovation was using a lot of illustrations in his newspapers.

Althouhtg having pictures in newspapers became a standard practice by that time, no one ever dared placing them on front page, as it was considered to be tacky. Yet, it wasnt in Pulitzer character to stick to settled dogmas. Illustrations are found in big numbers in New York World as well as in his other new papers. I had a small paper which had been dead for years, and I was trying in every way I could think of to build up its circulation... What could I use for bait? A picture, of course...

On page one, in a position that would make the World stand out as the paper lay folded on the news stand... (Brian, p. 43) - this describes the best true motives that led Pulitzer to use eye candies in his newspapers. But what was really revolutionary, in the way he changed the face of American journalism, is his concept of what constitute news and what isnt. Although he said: When you go to New York, ask any of the [reporters]... and you will see that accuracy, accuracy, accuracy, is the first, the most constant demand I have made on them. " (Juergens, p. 4), we have a good reason to doubt the sincerity of these words. In order to make his newspapers to be appealing to all people, regardless of their class, ethnicity and most important intellectual level, Pulitzer actually insisted on sensational aspect of any news. He was a founder of what we often refer to as yellow press, where are no real news that matter, but celebrities scandals reports, rumors, and other sensational information of very little value.

As circulation of New York World increased, Pulitzer decided to drop price on it to one cent, thus making his newspaper even more appealing to public. As number of subscribers grew bigger, Pulitzer's World became more dependent on advertising, still it was becoming even more profitable. By the end of 19 th century, 70 % of all the received income consisted out of advertising profits. If a newspaper is to be of real service to the public, it must have a big circulation...

because circulation means advertising, and advertising means money, and money means independence (Juergens, p. 51) Pulitzer used to say upon reaching the top of his career. It was probably the least expected by Pulitzer that there is a powerful competitor was about to challenge his monopoly on providing sensational news to a public, who had taken exactly the same approach on how make the newspaper popular - his name was William Randolph Hearst. Being originally from California, Hearst came to New York in 1895 and assumed control of New York Journal, which was originally founded by Josephs brother Albert in 1882. Hearst's acquirement of Journal signified the most intense rivalry between him and Pulitzer.

Both newspapers had the same goal to win as many readers as possible and they deployed the same aggressive strategies, in order to accomplish that. In a way, Hearst reminded Pulitzer his old self when he was younger. Worlds striking headlines were used in Journal as well, only that they were much larger. Worlds main feature trivial stories, were also present in Journal, only to a much bigger degree. Hearst also offered a better pay for journalists, comparing to Pulitzer, so many of them just left New York World and started to work for Hearst. It comes as a rule, that once there is an intense rivalry between newspapers, it usually results in providing much better quality news coverage to broader public.

Yet it wasnt the case in 1896, when an armed insurrection broke out in Cuba against Spanish rule. There were an American interests involved and after the explosion of battleship Main at Havana harbor in 1898, public interest in knowing exactly what was going on, reached such heights that it immediately resulted in doubling of Journals and Worlds profits. Yet they strived to gain even bigger popularity at the expense of each other. At that time, news accuracy was the last thing that both Pulitzer and Hearst cared about. Sensationalism was all that mattered. After explosion of Maine, many American newspapers suggested that US government should withhold from taking any action against Spain, before case clarifies.

Yet Journal just as World started to add oil into the fire, by publishing some fraudulent documents that were to prove Spanish link behind sinking of Main. Sometime after the end of American/Spanish war, president McKinley has admitted that his decision to declare war on Spain, was largely dictated by American publics pro war sentiment. That came as a direct result of publications in above-mentioned newspapers. Yellow journalism deployed by Pulitzer and Hearst turned out to be a very profitable enterprise there were five millions of New York World copies being sold in first week following the explosion on Main. It is quite ironic that now we talk of Pulitzer Award as highest recognition of journalists integrity, as Pulitzer never followed principles of accurate news coverage himself.

Yet, it is a fact, that because of this Award, the general level of journalistic excellence was being raised. He was the first to suggest that a special journalism course needs to be taught at universities. At the time of writing his will in 1904, he made provisions for the establishing of Pulitzer Award Fund, for the purpose of awarding achievements in journalism, education and traveling scholarship, although a numerous changes are being made to how Pulitzer Prize Board would operate, since 1917, when it was established. In recent years, the Pulitzer Award board is being criticized over numerous controversies, surrounding decisions making policies, about whos eligible for the Award and who isnt. The nature of how journalists, composers and writers are being picked for the award is very subjective. Many times the award was given to writers of the books that never became popular.

Board juries are also known for their conservatism when it comes to deciding about what to consider being an outstanding works in the field of music. Up until now, there were only classic pieces to be considered. In his will Pulitzer also has made a provision for two million dollars to be reserved for the School of Journalism to be founded. He said: I am deeply interested in the progress and elevation of journalism, having spent my life in that profession, regarding it as a noble profession and one of unequaled importance for its influence upon the minds and morals of the people. I desire to assist in attracting to this profession young men of character and ability, also to help those already engaged in the profession to acquire the highest moral and intellectual training (Bates, p. 132). That was indeed a very noble gesture on his part, as he himself received very little assistance throughout his life.

Being a self-made man, he nevertheless, tried to make it easier pursuing the career of journalism for young people. The legacy of Joseph Pulitzer is still with us, he used to favor reporters with ability to improvise. Although he lived in time when the advance of television could be hardly conceived in peoples mind, somehow he felt that this journalistic quality would prove to be decisive in live news coverage. Pulitzer was a visionary in many aspects of what considered being a fine journalism these days. Despite the fact that we often think of him as one who brought the concept of yellow press, we cant be too judgmental when it comes to discussing the moral consequences of this concept. There is always going to be a demand for news related stories that are popular because of their sensationalism.

The example of todays National Enquirer being the most distributed newspaper in USA effectively proves it. And once there is a demand, itll be only the matter of time before someone comes up with means to provide supply. The name of Joseph Pulitzer will always stand for great journalistic ingenuity and resourcefulness. Bibliography: Bates, J. Douglas. The Pulitzer Prize: The Inside Story of Americas Most Prestigious Award.

New York: Carol Pub. Group, 1991 Brian, Denis. Pulitzer: A Life. New York: J. Wiley, 2001 Juergens, George. Joseph Pulitzer and the New York World.

Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1966. Myers, Hortense and Ruth Burnett. Joseph Pulitzer: A Boy Journalist. Illustrated by Robert Do remus. Indianapolis: Books-Merrill, 1975. Pulitzer, Joseph.

The School of Journalism in Columbia University. Oakland, Calif. : Acme Books, [ 1968 ]. Smith, Pattie Sherwood. Joseph Pulitzer, Giant of Journalism. Charlottesville, N. Y. : Sam Har Press, 1973. "Pulitzer, Joseph, " Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2004 web 1997 - 2004 Microsoft Corporation.

All Rights Reserved. Joseph Pulitzer. web. 16. 09. 2004 Joseph Pulitzer. Brainy Encyclopedia.

web 17. 09. 2004. Biography of Joseph Pulitzer. Book Rags. com web 17. 09. 2004 Pulitzer Joseph, German American Corner. web 17. 09. 2004


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Research essay sample on Pulitzer Prize York World

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