''La Presse'' was the first
penny press
Penny press newspapers were cheap, tabloid-style newspapers mass-produced in the United States from the 1830s onwards. Mass production of inexpensive newspapers became possible following the shift from hand-crafted to steam-powered printing. F ...
newspaper in
France.
[ Peter Brooks, ''Reading for the Plot: Design and Intention in Narrative'', Harvard University Press, 1992, page 146]
Overview
''La Presse'' was founded on 16 June 1836 by
Émile de Girardin
Émile de Girardin (22 June 180227 April 1881) was a French journalist, publisher and politician. He was the most successful and flamboyant French journalist of the era, presenting himself as a promoter of mass education through mass journalism. ...
as a popular
conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization ...
enterprise. While contemporary newspapers depended heavily on subscription and tight party affiliation, ''La Presse'' was sold by street vendors. Girardin wanted the paper to support the government, without being so tied to specific cabinets that it would limit the newspaper's readership. The initial subscription to ''La Presse'' was only 40
franc
The franc is any of various units of currency. One franc is typically divided into 100 centimes. The name is said to derive from the Latin inscription ''francorum rex'' (King of the Franks) used on early French coins and until the 18th cen ...
s a year while other newspapers charged around 80 francs.
''La Presse'' and ''
Le Siècle
''Le Siècle'' ("''The Age''") is a daily newspaper that was published from 1836 to 1932 in France.
History
In 1836, ''Le Siècle'' was founded as a paper that supported constitutional monarchism. However, when the July Monarchy came to an en ...
'' are considered the first titles of the industrialized press era in France.
See also
*
History of French journalism
Newspapers have played a major role in French politics, economy and society since the 17th century. 1789-1815: Revolutionary era Pre- and Early Revolution
Print media played a significant role in the formation of popular public opinion towards t ...
References
External links
*''La Presse'' digital archive
from 1836 to 1935in
Gallica, the digital library of the
BnF
1836 establishments in France
French penny papers
Presse (France), La
Publications established in 1836
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