Abstract
PRIOR to 1765 newspapers were relatively unimportant as agencies for moulding or reporting public opinion. Political, religious, or other controversies were carried on in pamphlets, printed sermons, books, broadsides or handbills. Newspaper space was filled mainly with material that yielded a revenue, such as legal notices and commercial advertisements. News was limited to reports of occasional local incidents and items from elsewhere copied from other newspapers. There was nothing remotely resembling the modern editorial column. Occasionally a contributed article was published, usually with the notation: Handed in at the printer's office. Publishers assumed no responsibility for opinions expressed by contributors. A writer usually concealed his identity by use of a fictitious name.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
