National Press Day

A group of journalists in a newsroom, wearing professional attire, surrounded by newspaper clippings and cameras, capturing the essence of National Press Day.. — National press day illustration

Mark your calendars folks, because we're here to talk about a day that truly hits the headlines - National Press Day. Yeah, you read it right! Not everyday do the spotlight shift onto those who actually bring daily stories to us. Without them, we won't even know what happens beyond our fences. So here's a day dedicated to our very own journalists, media professionals and of course, the press. Spoiler Alert: November 16, 2016 saw the internet literally on 'press' with mentions but more on that later.

When is Press Day?

It's national press day on the 16th November.

A Brief History

Interestingly, National Press Day wasn't born out of someone's deep admiration for newsprint. Nope, it has its roots way back in the heydays when the freedom of the press was still up for debate. As the watchdog of democracy, the press was fighting its own war for independence. Hence, the birth of a day to acknowledge the immense contribution of the press to society.

The Day The Internet Went Buzz

Now let's talk numbers, shall we? Cause numbers don't lie! A whopping 66152 mentions were recorded online around National Press Day. But guess which year witnessed the media madhouse? 2016! A special nod to November 16, 2016, that caught the internet in a frenzy like never before. We're talking pages flooding, hashtags trending, and social media platforms having a field day. Now that's what we call going viral!

The 'Press' of Today

In this digital era, thanks to laptop warriors and WiFi warriors, news comes to us in various forms. Traditional print media have their modern-day counterparts - online news websites, social media updates, podcasts or even TikTok news. So, whether you're a fan of the old-school newspaper or carry the news world on your smartphone, National Press Day is a day of remembrance for the unfathomable power, commitment, and resilience of the press.

History behind the term 'Press'

1440

The Gutenberg Press

In 1440, German inventor Johannes Gutenberg developed the movable type printing press. This invention revolutionized the spread of knowledge as it allowed for the mass production of books and documents. The Gutenberg Press played a crucial role in the dissemination of ideas and information, contributing to the democratization of knowledge.

1605

The Term 'Press' Coined

The term 'press' to refer to the publishing industry was first used around 1605. It derived from the mechanical device invented by Gutenberg. The printing press became synonymous with the industry that utilized it, and the term 'press' started to encompass the machinery, the people operating it, and the organizations involved in publishing news and literature.

1695

The Licensing of the Press Act

In 1695, the Licensing of the Press Act was enacted in England. The act abolished the requirement for publishers to obtain government licenses prior to printing material. This significant step loosened state control over the press and allowed for greater freedom of expression. It marked a crucial turning point in press history by diminishing censorship and promoting the growth of independent journalism.

1833

The Penny Press

The 1830s brought about the rise of the Penny Press in the United States. The term referred to newspapers that were sold for one penny, making them affordable for a broader audience. These newspapers targeted the working class and emphasized local news, crime stories, sensationalism, and human-interest pieces. The Penny Press played a significant role in shaping modern-day journalism by shifting the focus towards catering to popular demand.

1865

The Telegraph and Associated Press

In 1865, the telegraph played a pivotal role in the development of the wire services, notably the Associated Press (AP). The telegraph allowed news to be transmitted quickly across vast distances, enabling newspapers to access breaking news from remote locations. The AP became a major provider of news content, supplying a network of subscribing newspapers. The expansion of wire services revolutionized the way news was gathered and shared.

1920

Radio Broadcasting

The 1920s witnessed the emergence of radio broadcasting, which presented a direct challenge to the dominance of print media. With the ability to reach a vast audience instantaneously, radio became a popular source of news and entertainment. The advent of radios in households marked a shift in information consumption habits and catalyzed the evolution of journalism to adapt to the new medium.

1991

The World Wide Web

The invention of the World Wide Web by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 and its subsequent popularization in the early 1990s transformed the press yet again. The internet revolutionized the way news is produced, consumed, and shared. It enabled the rise of online news publications, blogs, and citizen journalism, making information more accessible and participatory. The digital era fundamentally reshaped the press landscape, challenging traditional business models and information dissemination.

Did you know?

Did you know that the highest circulation for any daily newspaper is The Times of India? This might explain why the press gets it's own 'national' day.