It is difficult to imagine modern world political history without his presence Press and especially newspapers. During the 20th century, the newspaper served as the main medium of information for most of the population, even for those who did not possess appreciable education. The newspaper served and serves until today the decisive role attributed to the Mass Media as the “fourth power” in a state, checking with its articles the actions of the respective governments and administrations, bringing to “light” a series of scandals, incidents of abuse of power and social injustices.
The first information about the dissemination of manuscripts, with the purpose of informing people, comes from antiquity. Known to the general public are the Roman “acta diurna‘, which included government edicts, news from the battles of the Roman legions and important social events. OR invention of printingaround the middle of the 15th century radically changed the way man received knowledge. Books became more accessible to the general public and, of course, cheaper, since it no longer had to take weeks, perhaps even months, for a book to be written or copied.
Technological advancement in the field of printing has created the need to print pamphlets, to inform and delight people.
The technological advancement achieved in the field of printing was next to create the need to print pamphlets for the information and enjoyment of the people. In 1605, the first newspaper appeared in Strasbourg, Alsace, entitled “Relation aller Fürnemmen und gedenckwürdigen Historien” (Narrative of all important and notable events) and published by John Charles. This was followed by the printing of other forms in the German countries, the Italian cities, the France and her England. Gradually the newspaper became an integral part of readers’ daily lives, offering current affairs, commentary and entertainment.
The world’s first Sunday newspaper was published on December 4, 1791 by WS Bourne with the title “The Observer». Its difference from other daily papers was that it focused more on the analysis and interpretation of events and their long-term effects, since there was no stress of publishing a new story. In the first years the newspaper faced many problems, especially in the financial sector. During the 19th century, however, the Observer managed to establish itself in the United Kingdom, offering its readers broad coverage of political and social issues, with an emphasis on the cultural as well.
Column editor: Myrto Katsigera, Vassilis Minakakis, Antigoni-Despina Poimenidou, Athanasios Syroplakis
