Preserver of the Press: The Historical Mission and Evolution of the Capital Outlook Newspaper

• Other Authors: Gordon, Yanela Natacha (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: History
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-4125

On March 16, 1827, Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm of New York, established Freedom's Journal, the nation's first African-American newspaper. This study explores the history of the Black Press in America and particularly the Capital Outlook, Tallahassee's only African-American owned newspaper. The Capital Outlook was established in 1975 and has existed under five-periods of ownership, spanning from 1975 until the present. Additionally, the study compares the development and mission of the Capital Outlook to five founding principles for the Black Press as established by Cornish and Russwurm in 1827. The study uses newspapers and archival records as primary information sources. However, research is centered primarily around the oral history testimony of each of the Capital Outlook's owners, and subscribers who include long-time Tallahassee residents, as well as state, local and regional leaders. The results of this study are valuable because it 1) adds to the limited body of literature pertaining to the role, scope, and history of the Black Press in America, and especially Florida and other Southern states; 2) it encourages more empirical studies relating to the Black Press; 3) it gives credence to oral history testimonies as being a valid research and information gathering method; and 4) it encourages future studies regarding social histories, especially at the local and community level. === A Thesis submitted to the Department of History in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. === Summer Semester, 2005. === June 23, 2005. === Roosevelt Wilson, Black Newspapers, Tallahassee Newspapers, African American Newspapers, Florida Newspapers, Black Press === Includes bibliographical references. === Maxine D. Jones, Professor Directing Thesis; Matthew D. Childs, Committee Member; Joe M. Richardson, Committee Member.