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Re: Newspapers as Primary Sources



In addition, every source has a slant of some kind- a personal and biased
perspective, limited information, etc.  I teach students in my history
classes that newspapers are primary sources because they represent
contemporary reports on events (unless of course they are historical
retrospective pieces), and I teach them to approach all sources
critically, to determine the slant, and to seek other confirmation of
facts and opinions.

Nina Stoyan-Rosenzweig
Archivist, College of Medicine
Adjunct Assistant Professor, History Department
University of Florida

On 17 May 01, at 9:29, Heather Willever-Farr wrote:

> It all depends on what you are researching.  Sure, newspapers articles/images have a slant, but that slant may be what you are studying...
>
> Heather Willever-Farr
> Electronic Records Archivist
> American College of Physicians - American Society of Internal Medicine
> 190 N. Independence Mall West
> Philadelphia, PA 19106-1572
> hwillever-farr@mail.acponline.org
> (w) 215-351-2470
> (h) 215-481-0962
>
>
> >>> Dean DeBolt <ddebolt@MAIL.UWF.EDU> 05/17/01 09:14AM >>>
> Okay, class ... from my talks to groups about newspapers.
>
> Are newspapers primary sources? Some wave their hands
> yes, others wave their hands no. The definition of a primary
> source is that it is eyewitness or closest in time to the actual
> event. So, yes, newspapers are primary sources.
>
> But the second issue is one of truth. Simply because it is an
> eyewitness account or closest in time does not make it true.
> That's why people debate newspapers as primary sources,
> because we all have seen errors in writing and reporting in the
> newspaper.
>
> The third issue of the primary source is the "spin" or slant of
> the person doing the reporting or writing. I know an autobiography
> of a prominent congressman....he wrote it, his daughter edited it,
> it is considered primary ... except since he lost his long tenure in
> Congress because of ethics ... his book barely mentions that issue
> so he (and his editing daughter) exits office merely "retiring."
>
> Usually after I get the class to agree that newspapers are primary
> sources ... I then pull out some of my newspapers (National Enquirer
> or Weekly World News with lurid highly improbable headlines)...
> we all have a good laugh and then I can talk about that just because
> it is in print or primary does not make it true. A good researcher
> will set out to have multiple proofs of a fact.
>
> Dean
> Dean DeBolt
> University Librarian
> Special Collections and West Florida Archives
> John C. Pace Library
> University of West Florida
> 11000 University Parkway
> Pensacola, FL 32514-5750
> Tele: 850-474-2213; Fax: 850-474-3338
>
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