Partisan Press

The term partisan press refers to journalism practiced within a political sphere, as opposed to a more independent profession. Partisan journalism is connected with democracy, a form of government that has contested political leadership. It is not found in single-party or dictatorial states. In the United States, the partisan press era began after the Revolutionary War and lasted until the Civil War. During that period of time, the majority of American journalists worked for newspapers with definite political leanings, and many newspapers were started by the parties themselves. After the Civil War, the American press gradually moved away from its partisan roots and became more independent, although newspapers retained an editorial page where partisan perspectives remained on display. This entry first discusses the partisan press ...