Newspaper Columns: A History of Opinion and Commentary
The newspaper column is more than just a vertical slice of a page; it is a storied medium of personal expression, political advocacy, and social commentary. From the clandestine pamphlets of the English Civil War to the rapid-fire nature of modern blogs, the column has evolved to meet the changing needs of readers and the shifting priorities of publishers.
The Early Origins of the Column
The structural roots of the modern column can be traced back to 1640s England. During the English Civil War, journalists published advocacy pieces in pamphlets and newsbooks. Notably, Marchamont Nedham included a "society column" written by a Czech correspondent, marking an early instance of specialized social reporting.
As the medium evolved, new formats emerged to capture public interest. Benjamin Harris, an English publisher active between 1673 and 1716, is credited with inventing the items column—a gossip format consisting of a list of news items paired with the columnist's commentary. By the 1690s, The Athenian Mercury introduced the first advice column, providing readers with guidance on philosophy and science.
Further innovation came from Joseph Addison and Richard Steele, who developed satirical columns that mirrored the style of oral history. However, it wasn't until 1751 that the first column appeared in a formal newspaper, written by John Hill under the pseudonym "The Inspector" for the London Advertiser and the Literary Gazette.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Expansion Across the Atlantic and Global Variations
The concept of the column traveled to the American colonies in the late 18th century. Between 1768 and 1769, the Journal of Occurrences became the first syndicated column in the United States, used by Boston patriots to protest the British Crown.
By the 19th century, the variety of columns expanded significantly:
- Correspondence: James Gordon Bennett Sr. launched correspondence columns in the New York Herald in 1835.
- Humor: Writers like Eugene Field contributed humor columns to the Chicago Daily News in the late 1800s.
- Politics: In the UK, figures such as George Reynolds, Edward Reynolds, and F. E. Tomlins wrote influential political pieces for Reynolds Newspaper and the Weekly Times.
Internationally, unique styles emerged. In Spain, Eugeni d'Ors created the glosa, a column composed of brief aphorisms (concise statements of truth) that typically concluded with a political point. Simultaneously, Latin American immigrants in the U.S. wrote crónicas—brief Spanish-language columns about local affairs that blended Latin American folklore with the satirical influence of Addison and Steele.
The Golden Age and Commercialization
The 20th century brought a shift toward commercialization. While this made some columns more impersonal, it also led to a surge in popularity. In the United States, columns became ubiquitous in the 1920s as publishers discovered that "feature and filler material" increased profits. Readers, overwhelmed by the volume of news, began seeking the curated commentary of professional journalists.
This era saw the rise of the national gossip column, pioneered by Walter Winchell and later expanded by Hedda Hopper. The 1930s and 1940s are considered the "golden age" of the column. Because general journalism had become strictly objective following the Progressive Era, newspapers used opinionated columnists to differentiate their brand from competitors.
During World War I, the column also served as a tool for political rebuke. Despite Lord Chancellor Stanley Buckmaster's threats to censor information that might "depress" the public, many British journalists continued to publish critical columns targeting figures like Richard Haldane and H. H. Asquith without facing consequences.
The Digital Transition
The arrival of the internet in the 1990s and 2000s fundamentally altered the news cycle. The decline of print readership and profitability forced a migration to online platforms and social media, where columns often take the form of blogs.
Many outlets have shifted their strategy, replacing syndicated columns with local writers or guest columns penned by advocacy groups and public officials. Additionally, the traditional gossip column has largely vanished from professional newspapers in favor of objective reporting on controversial events.
Key Facts
- First Advice Column: Appeared in The Athenian Mercury in the 1690s.
- First US Syndicated Column: The Journal of Occurrences (1768–1769).
- First Newspaper Column: Written by John Hill ("The Inspector") in 1751.
- Golden Age: The 1930s and 1940s, used to provide opinion in an era of objective news.
- Modern Form: Transitioned from print to digital blogs and social media.
| Format | Origin/Era | Primary Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Items Column | 17th/18th Century | List of news items with columnist comments |
| Glosa | Early 20th Century (Spain) | Brief aphorisms leading to a political point |
| Crónicas | Early 20th Century (US/LatAm) | Local matters blended with folklore |
| Gossip Column | 1920s (US) | Nationally syndicated social commentary |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented the gossip column format?
The items column, a precursor to the gossip column, was invented by English publisher Benjamin Harris in the 17th or 18th century. Later, in the 1920s, Walter Winchell established the nationally syndicated gossip column as a distinct genre in the United States.
Why did columns become so popular in the 1930s and 1940s?
This period was the "golden age" of columns because general journalism had become uniformly objective. Newspapers employed opinionated columnists to provide a unique voice and distinguish themselves from other publications.
What is a 'glosa' in journalism?
A glosa is a type of column invented by Eugeni d'Ors in Spain. It consists of several short aphorisms, with the final one typically revealing the political message of the piece.
How has the internet affected the traditional column?
The internet has shortened the news cycle and led to a decline in print profitability. Consequently, many syndicated columns have been replaced by local columnists, guest contributors, or digital blogs hosted on news websites.
What was the first syndicated column in the United States?
The first syndicated column in the U.S. was the Journal of Occurrences, published between 1768 and 1769 by Boston patriots as a protest against the British Crown.