Evidence of printing techniques exists today from artefacts that are believed to date from 3000b.c. and earlier. These originate from Mesopotamia which is modern day Iraq and were created with round seals that were used to impress images onto clay tablets. Other earlier societies in China and Egypt used stamps that were then used to print on cloth. Later on the Chinese began to use wooden blocks to print onto silk. During the Han Dynasty a further breakthrough occurred when print was produced in the three primary colours, cyan (blue), magenta (red) and yellow. When combined with the original colour of black a kaleidoscope of virtually all other colours can be created.
During the Roman Empire, which is a little further back in the historical timeline the first ‘Acta Diurna’ appeared. This is Latin for ‘Daily Acts` and can be considered as the first ever newspaper. However, they were not printed, at the time they were carved onto stone or metal and scribes then made copies and distributed them in order to disseminate news and ideas to the provinces of the Empire. This was an important breakthrough because newspapers and print were to become synonymous for centuries until the present day.
The first moveable type printing press was invented in China by an alchemist named Bi Sheng around the year 1040a.d. This was an important technological breakthrough because for the first time it became possible to mass produce a text or book incredibly quickly and efficiently compared to anything else before. There are still a few surviving books produced from the clay-baked moveable type characters in 12th century China. However, because of the complexities of Asian writing systems (Chinese, Korean and Japanese alphabet was made up of thousands of characters which each would need to be cut individually for moveable printing) this method did not really catch on and the widespread use of wooden blocks continued in China.
It was the Europeans who really embraced moveable type and in the middle of the 15th century Johannes Gutenberg invented what can be considered the first Printing Press. What set Gutenberg apart from his Chinese predecessors was the mechanisation of the transfer from moveable type to print. By automating the process using machine rather than hand assembly, mass production was made possible, combined with superior ink using linseed oil and soot instead of the Chinese water-based ink. Cost efficient, production printing of books began on an industrial scale and the Print Industry began on its exponential, profitable growth journey.
Although the first lithograph offset press was invented by Englishman Robert Barclay in 1875 using two cylinders, one made of hard stone or metal and the other made of rubber which was used to pull the item being printed upon through the press, if he failed to insert paper the metal plate would transfer the image onto the rubber impression cylinder. If paper was then placed into the machine the image would appear on both sides. To his amazement the image from the rubber impression was far superior and created a sharper, clearer look. He quickly exploited his ‘mistake` and is credited with inventing the first offset printing press as we have come to know it today.
If we compare the printing methods with today’s litho print machines we can understand that recent technology has led to hugely impressive production workhorses capable of quick drying times and versatile enough to print on plastic substrates as well as traditional paper and magazines. Today, speed of production and turnaround times are vital for any printing business to gain competitive advantage. High quality, waste reduction and fully loaded with the latest UV and LED technologies, print machinery manufacturers are just as competitive with each other in the pursuit of business in the form of capital investment as printers are with each other as they ruthlessly undercut each other to win consumer facing customers.
Heidelberg is arguably the market leader for providing printing presses and has achieved an unprecedented boost in sales in the U.K.recently. An example of this is speedmaster XL75 62 five-colour press, it has an impressive automatic colour and register adjustment system and the evidence available suggest that the investment is certainly worthwhile. In today’s industry the most competitive, efficient firms tend to use this incredibly reliable piece of machinery and it will be interesting to see the next breakthrough regarding quality and automation. Printing firms will continue to seek new business and improvements regarding productivity and waste reduction will be key selling points for suppliers like Heidelberg. The industry has certainly come a long way since the wooden blocks and clay tablets mentioned earlier.
The Colebrooke-Cameron Commission appointed by the then British government to report on the affairs of administration of Sri Lanka in April 1829, recommended, in addition to the legislative reforms, the necessity of starting newspapers to restrict the powers enjoyed by the British governor. They also stressed that the non-existence of newspapers was the main reason for the boundless powers of the governor. Governor Wilmot Horton took serious note of the recommendation made by the Commission, when he arrived on October 23, 1831. He was notified to commence a newspaper.
As a consequence and under the auspices of the Colonial Government, the Colombo Journal was published 186 years ago on January 1, 1832. It was discontinued on December 31, 1833 ‘to allow private enterprises’ to run newspapers. However, the true reason for the closure was that the Colombo Journal severely criticised the British government of the day.
English newspapers in 20th century
There were 13 English newspapers in the island at the beginning of the 20th century. The Ceylon Mohamdam (1900-1917) was the first newspaper to be published at the turn of the 20th century. It was followed by The Ceylon Standard in 1908, a paper published by a group of wealthy Sinhalese during the first decade of the nineteenth century. Don Richard Wijewardene, a dynamic young man and a Cambrian, made his entry as an entrepreneur—he was convinced that one of the most influential instruments in an independence struggle was the forceful might of the press: the print media. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited symbolizes, therefore, the intellect of this great man.
The Observer and Commercial Advertiser was the result of a joint venture by two Colombo-based merchants, G. Ackland and E.J.Darley, which was first published on February 4, 1834. The Observer and Commercial Advertiser later transformed into Ceylon Observer. Under the editorship of Christopher Elliott, a surgeon who turned journalist changed its name to Colombo Observer. The Observer severely criticized the government especially during the time of the 1848 rebellion. Elliott wanted the British rule in the island to end soon.
The colonial governor in an attempt to counter the harsh criticism wanted to commence another newspaper; the result was Ceylon Chronicle, edited by Rev. Samuel Owen Glenie, the Colonial Chaplain, which was issued in May, 1837. When the Bishop of India objected to this appointment, he was replaced with Postmaster General George Lee. There was a severe competition between the newspapers with the Governor and members of the civil service contributing to the Colombo Chronicle, while the Chief Justice and Auditor-General supported the Observer. The Weslyan press published Ceylon Advertiser and General Intelligence in September, 1845, which ceased in April, 1850. By then, the Observer newspaper was passed into A. M. Ferguson. Legislative Councilor John Ferguson was a prolific writer. R.H. Ferguson sold the paper to a syndicate of the European Association who in turn sold it to D. R. Wijewardena in 1923.
It would be interesting to note that at a time, the English papers were edited by full European boards, a Sinhalese named Miguel Silva who studied English, Logic, Latin, and Christianity at Wesley College became deputy editor of Observer in 1840s: Miguel was none other than Migettuwatte Gunanada Thera of Panaduraa Vaadaya fame.
A weekly newspaper called the Kandy Herald printed in the office of the Times of Ceylon was published by some planters in the year 1864. A Local newspaper entitled Jaffna Freeman commenced publication in 1862, until it was closedown in 1879. The Catholic Messenger,which commenced publication in 1869, voiced the opinion of the Catholics for 150 years.
The Ceylon Independent, edited by George Wall, saw the light of the day in July 1888. The editor agitated for a more responsible form of government to the island. Later, it was passed into the hands of Sir Hector Van Cuylenburg and subsequently, A. E. Bultggens, who was a staunch Buddhist involved in the Buddhist revival movement. Under the editorship of great teacher and historian L. E. Blaze, operated the Ceylon Independent, which ceased its publication in 1937.
The Morning Leader newspaper was purchased by the de Soysa family. Sir James Pieris, Charles Pieris, and W. A. de Silva, the Sinhala novelist owned this newspaper. The Morning Leader was responsible for moulding the public opinion when it was being edited by Armond de Souza. From 1907-1921, which covered the Sinhala-Muslim Riots of 1915, a crucial juncture of our modern history. Morning Leader played a vital role with Armond de Souza criticizing the Martial Law proclaimed by the governor. After the death of de Souza, Prof J. C. L. Rodrigo became its editor. Its publication ceased in 1932.
Ceylon Daily News
D. R. Wijewardena, the newspaper magnate of Sri Lanka, commenced the Ceylon Daily News on January 3, 1918. Wijewardene fought for independence from the British rule. The Ceylon Observer [Sunday] commenced on February 4, 1923. The Ceylon Daily News was edited in its initial stages by distinguish editors such as S. J. K. Crowther, H. D. Jant, F. A. Martinus, A. V. Kulasingham, and E. T. de Silva. Silva was a pioneer and activist in the national movement.
During the latter part of the 20th century, Samasamajist, the journal of the LSSP (1937); Sun (1964); Siyarata, UNP’s news sheet (1963); Weekend (1965), Ceylon Daily Mirror (1961), Island (1981), became prominent papers. The Times, which existed for over 130 years, was taken over by the government in August, 1977. The Times newspaper group was liquidated, paving the way for Ranjith Wijewardena, owner of Wijaya newspapers and the son of newspaper magnate D. R. Wijewardene, to purchase it in 1987. The Sunday Times commenced republication in June 1987. The controversial Sunday Leader commenced publication in June, 1994, and became competitive in the field of reporting political news, until its’ Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga was transformed it into a dynamic “daily” in the Island. In 1918, motivated by this success, D. R. bought an English paper, the Ceylonese. He paid Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam, the founder owner, Rs.16,000 for the paper, press, and goodwill. D. R. changed its name to Daily News, which is now a century-old and a household name in Sri Lanka.
In 1926, D. R. Wijewardene formed the company, the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. By then, he had shifted his papers and their premises from the old, poorly-ventilated bungalow in Colombo 10, into Baillie Street, the very heart of Colombo-Fort. He had also purchased a prime block of land on the borders of the Beira Lake. In 1929, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited moved into Lake House.
History of world’s newspaper publishing
The newspaper is a European invention. In Venice, as early as the 16th century, there had been wide circulation of handwritten news sheets filled with news on politics and wars in Italy and Europe. The first printed paper was published in Germany in 1609. They were heavily censored by the government and reported mainly only foreign news, current prices, etc. Newspapers flourished in London after the English government withdrew censorship in 1695. Low cost daily papers appeared in cities by the 1830’s after the high speed presses commenced printing thousands of copies cheaply. By 1900, advertising revenues encouraged more important than party support. The New York City newspaper circulation reached the level of a million copies a day.
There was a small impact with the rise of radio in the 1930s, but television from the 1950’s had a major impact on the industry. Afternoon papers suffered most. In all parts of the globe, the growth of the internet after 2000 and sophisticated mobile phones after 2010, proved financially disastrous to newspapers as advertisers deserted and subscriptions plunged. It is strange that this phenomenon did not affect the newspapers of Sri Lanka.
Newspapers have been integral to society in recent history and have had a significant effect in shaping our political views. The initial newspapers were expensive and hence read only by the privileged few. The rapid evolution of the printing press brought down the costs of newspapers and helped print a lot more copies at much lower costs.
With the advent of advertising in the 19th century, the cost of newspapers fell significantly and was well within reach of a much wider population. Since then, print media has been growing leaps and bounds and has been an integral part of all of our daily lives. As the circulation grew, so did the ad revenues. These were the heydays of print media. they were the innovators in using illustrations and images in story telling, in using telegraph and telephone for rapid sourcing of news from across the world, and setting up widespread distribution channels to reach their audience. Most of the publications were hugely profitable and owned by wealthy individuals who used these mediums to spread their political views.
Existential threat from digital media
Digital media has been evolving rapidly over the last 20 years. From the initial days of desktop sites, to m-dot sites, responsive web, native apps, PWAs and screen-less devices, digital news has been keeping pace with the technology disruption in the media and entertainment industry. While TV and radio did not affect print media much, the digital age poses a serious threat to the print industry as a whole.
While TV and radio were parallel formats, instantaneous and engaging, print still had two notable advantages - a) it was non-linear AND b) portability i.e people could read the news when and where they wanted to, rather than keeping themselves free at home during primetime. The same however isn't true for digital media which offers non-linear, highly personalised news at your fingertips in extremely engaging formats that were never seen before (360 video, AR and VR). Primetime is not longer a fixed hour, it's when you tap on your mobile screen.
This has changed everything for newspapers. Most people get their news on their smartphones (news sites, aggregators, social, search etc). Newspapers, which were an integral part of everyones morning, are now rapidly fading away, only to be replaced by more screen time.
The 400 year old industry is certainly facing its toughest time in history, much like the 90s and early 2000s when photography was disrupted through the invention of digital photography
However The newspaper is the printing media in which all information of the national and international level news are printed.
Newspapers are essential part of the modern civilization, even without the newspaper, the morning tea also not liked.
With the advent of the media, the popularity of newspapers has become very less. But the effectiveness of it still persists.
Today morning starts with a newspaper and ends with a newspaper.
It is the effect of Newspapers that we come to know about the world. Its main purpose is to let us know about the world problems and their solutions. Its main objective is to keep the readers
informed about the latest developments that are taking place in the world. It investigates and then presents important events. It also guides and molds the public opinion. It also provides space for public grievances.
It educates the people in good citizenship. a newspaper also provides information on the variety of subjects like art, science, business, sports, crime, fashions etc.
Every single bit of information that we get from the newspapers is of great importance.
It makes us aware of what’s happening in the region we live in our country we live.
There is a separate column for health. Most newspapers have cartoons, comic, crossword puzzles and astrological facts. Newspapers also contain matrimonial columns, vacancies, and wanted columns.
It is difficult to maintain a newspaper without advertisements. Newspapers are an important prerequisite for democracy. Democracy functions on its basis.
Newspapers should be a way of social, economic, and political justice. The press is often referred to as the fourth estate.
The newspaper is the most powerful of all the means of expression of the news and views about men and matters. Newspapers are regarded by economists as a necessity of modern life. With the growth of literacy and the development of the means of communication they are playing a very important role in nowadays' society.
M.A.B Emesha Dhananji Alokabanara
MAPT/19/B1/06
No comments:
Post a Comment