News Magazine, History of

Abstract

The concept of → news as a component of a → magazine's editorial content is as old as the medium (→ Magazine, History of). The Gentleman's Magazine is regarded by magazine historian Frank Luther Mott (1938) and others as the first to use the word as part of a periodical's title; it was begun in 1731 by a London printer, Edward Cave, and contained tidbits of doings in the royal court and around the town. But the idea of devoting an entire magazine to in‐depth articles and interpretive features on recent events worldwide is far more modern. To remain topical, news magazines had to be weekly or at least fortnightly. Their introduction had to await an array of historical developments, including an efficient postal service, faster printing presses, and general literacy. This article deals only with the genre in print and not the labeling of television or radio shows as “newsmagazines” (→ Television).