How did the press report the Boer war? and with what impact?

Press had expanded between 1850-1900
Penny Daily e.g Daily Telegraph launched 1855 and Morning Post
Plus regional press e.g. Manchester Guardian

CASE STUDY - DAILY MAIL
Alfred Harmsworth transformed press
1896 he launched Daily Mail - selling at half one penny
It was populist (wanting change for the people)
Criticised for its accuracy - stories rewritten to add spice/interest
Harmsworth served the news 'cooked'
1899 circulation 534,000
Boer war used to increase sales

CASE STUDY - Winston Spencer Churchill
Importance of war correspondence
In war zone and paid
Churchill employed by Morning Post as well as being a serving officer
Salary £250 per month equivalent to £170,000 per year today!
Being an officer helped and hindered Churchill
When captured by the Boers he was sent to a POW camp, after helping to defend a train, but he argued he was a reporter not a combatant.
Often very honest in his reports
Army censorship lax
There was an army censor however as an officer and gentlemen Churchill was trusted
Buller supported Churchill's work, Roberts less so.



Churchill in a POW camp - far right on picture

IMPACT
Papers overwhelming in favour of the war
Reflected public sentiment
Despite being in favour of the war - truth was not a casualty - black week as an example was reported
Widespread support
Popular enthusiasm supported by press