EOTO: The Newspaper

In our world today, breaking news is easy to find. You can click a button on your phone, turn on your TV, or even the radio and find out so many things that are happening in our world. For much of human history, getting news was not nearly that easy.

During the Middle Ages, news was not that easy to come by. It was primarily available to people wealthy enough to support networks of agents and messengers. 

Travel was also slow and dangerous, which meant that news could take a long time to reach its destination. Without having access to quick news, people had no idea the events taking place around them.

So, how did we find a solution to this issue?

The history of the newspaper can be traced back to ancient Rome. Romans are often credited with developing an early form of newspaper called the Acta Diurna, meaning “Daily Doings,” around 59 BCE.

No copies of the Acta Diurna have survived, but it is believed to have included information about events, assemblies, births, deaths and even daily gossip.

Centuries later, this idea also began in Venice, Italy. In 1566, handwritten publications known as avvisi, or gazettes, circulated news about politics and military conflicts.

At the time, receiving news was not something everyone could easily do, but the development of the printing press helped change that.

Printing technology dramatically increased how quickly information could be reproduced, making it possible to produce around 4,000 pages per day. Instead of information having to be repeatedly copied by hand, large quantities of printed material could be created.

That helped bring written information to a mass market.

By 1609, the first weekly newspapers had emerged. Newspapers quickly spread throughout Central Europe, giving more people regular access to information about events beyond their immediate communities.

The growth happened quickly.By 1641, newspapers were being printed in almost every country in Europe.

Newspapers eventually crossed the Atlantic and reached the American colonies. On Sept. 25, 1690, Benjamin Harris printed Public Occurrences.

However, newspaper development in America was slower.Fourteen years passed before the next newspaper, The Boston Newsletter, appeared. Another 15 years passed before The American Weekly Mercury.

Despite that slow beginning, the arrival of newspapers represented an important change in how information could move through the colonies.

The biggest impact of the newspaper was its ability to make communication easier and more widely available. People no longer had to depend entirely on individual messengers or word of mouth to find out what was happening elsewhere.

Printing also meant the same information could be reproduced for a much larger number of people.

The newspaper did more than introduce another way to communicate. It represented a shift toward making news something that could be distributed regularly to a mass audience.

Technology has changed considerably since the Acta Diurna appeared in ancient Rome.Today, news can reach millions of people within seconds. Newspapers themselves have even moved beyond paper, with news increasingly reaching audiences through digital platforms.

But the central idea has remained the same: People want to know what is happening around them.

From Rome's Acta Diurna, to handwritten gazettes in Venice, to weekly European newspapers and eventually newspapers in the American colonies, the development of the newspaper helped transform news from something that traveled slowly between individuals into information that could reach a much larger audience.

The technology may have changed, but our need for news has not.

AI disclosure: AI was used for the formatting of this blog post. By using only my personal notes, it helped me develop a structure for my writing. It also helped me create a script for my presentation.

Privacy: Online and Off

Privacy is something that can be easy to overlook until you realize how much information is being collected about you. Surveillance is not limited to the internet, either. Technology used for mass surveillance is making its way into local police departments.

One of the main technologies driving this surveillance is license plate readers. As the cost of storing data has dropped, police can keep information “just in case” something happens later.

This affects me because I could be monitored without ever realizing it. Just because I cannot see surveillance technology does not mean it is not there.

It also affects my friends and family because their information can be collected too. The bigger concern is that all of this information can eventually become part of massive databases containing details about our lives.

Privacy concerns also exist online. Facebook’s business model raises questions about privacy through practices such as data mining, digital dossiers and behavioral marketing. Information can be collected through user-generated content, tracking malware and deep packet inspection.

Another concern is the third-party doctrine. When someone voluntarily gives information to a second party, they can lose control over how that information is later used by a third party. That makes me think more carefully about what information I provide online and who may eventually have access to it.

The government should take the possibility of surveillance technology being abused seriously. There should be more attention paid to what information is collected, why it is being stored and how that information may eventually be used.

We also have a responsibility to protect ourselves. We can become more aware of the information we voluntarily provide and think carefully before sharing personal information online.

Privacy can be invaded both online and in the real world, sometimes without us even knowing it. Understanding how our information is collected is an important first step toward protecting it.

AI DISCLOSURE: AI was used for the formatting of this blog post. By using only my personal notes, it helped me develop a structure for my writing.

Eight Values of Free Expression: The Most Impactful to Me

 

Our first amendment right.

The First Amendment has played a crucial role in our  society since the founding of the United States. There are eight theories that scholars use to describe why freedom of expression is so important to us as Americans.

The theory that is most impactful to me is "Individual Self-Fulfillment," also known as "Self-Actualization."

This theory states, "Free speech enables individuals to express themselves and thereby create their own identity-- and, in the process perhaps, find kindred spirits. Freedom of speech thus becomes an aspect of human dignity, human agency and autonomy."

Being able to freely express myself is something I would never take for granted. There are so many places around the world that do not share this same value, so I am grateful that I am in a place that does.

Afghan women under "morality law."

Often when I looks at news sites, or I see news pop up on my social media, I see articles about the restrictions women in Afghanistan face. They do not have the ability to freely express themselves.

The Taliban restricts women from traveling without a male "guardian," and visiting public areas such as parks and gyms. It also requires that they cover their bodies, faces, and conceal their voices in public under the "morality law." 

The ability to learn and choose what you want to study is also a part of free expression. Although it is not something that is often recognized as free expression, not everyone has access to the same educational resources. For example, I chosee to attend High Point University, and chose to study Social Media and Digital Communications, so that I can get a job in that field one day.

The Taliban has also restricted women and young girls from attending school. If they would like to seek education, they mostly rely on "secret" schools to be able to do that.

Education is something that I think is often taken for granted, especially because we live in a place where it is something we "have to" do. 

When I see news articles describing the conditions these women live in, my heart hurts for them. It also makes me feel grateful that I live in a place that does not put such restrictions on women.

Another reason that this value of "individual self-fulfillment" is so important to me is because I love being able to express myself through movement.

A photo of me dancing, 2025.

I have grown up as a dancer, and I have always used dance as my escape from reality. It has become my creative outlet to express my emotions.

Without the ability to freely express myself through dance, I wouldn't have beccome the person I am today. Dance is my safe place and a part of my identity.

I am on the dance team here at High Point University. Not only do I get do do what I love, I also get the chance to study what I choose so that I when I graduate, I will be set on a path to have the career that I want.

The freedom to choose what I want to do, say, and what I hope to become is a freedom that I will never take for granted.

The theory of "Individual Self-Fulfillment" or "Self-Actualization" is a value that I hope others to also to appreciate more.

What I Learned About the U.S. Supreme Court

Before watching this documentary, I knew the Supreme Court was important, but I did not fully understand what makes it different from the lower courts. The video gave me a better appreciation for how the Court works and why its role is so significant.

One of the first things I learned is that the Court is made up of nine justices who are nominated by the president. Their responsibility is to interpret the Constitution by safeguarding liberty, preserving the Union, and upholding the rule of law.

I was interested to learn about the lasting impact of Marbury v. Madison. According to the documentary, Chief Justice John Marshall established the principle of judicial review, which remains one of the Court's most important powers.

The most surprising fact to me was that the Supreme Court accepts only about 100 cases each year. Lower courts petition the Court to hear their cases, but only a small number are ultimately selected.

Another detail that stood out was that every case receives equal consideration. Whether a case comes from a state court or from someone currently in a jail cell, it is evaluated on its merits. I found that especially interesting.

I also learned that the justices begin each meeting by shaking hands. It is a simple tradition, but I liked hearing about it because it reflects a sense of respect despite differing opinions.

The Court cannot simply choose topics it wants to discuss. Instead, it must decide the cases that come before it.

Supreme Court proceedings are conducted in public, and lawyers on each side are given 30 minutes to present oral arguments. These arguments give the justices an opportunity to ask difficult questions and test the positions presented in the written briefs.

After the arguments, the justices meet privately to vote. If a decision is reached, a justice on the majority side writes an opinion explaining the legal reasoning behind the ruling.

The documentary emphasized that writing the opinions is often the hardest part because those decisions guide other courts. These opinions can take months to complete, and that was my biggest takeaway. The justices do not make decisions lightly. They take the time to think through the consequences before releasing their rulings at the end of the Court's term in June.

AI Disclosure: I used Microsoft Copilot to help organize and redefine my notes based on the research I have done.

Top 5 Sources of Information

 When looking for accurate information regarding our country and the world's events, the source from which we seek this information plays a key role in its accuracy. I try to find at least one unbiased source so that whoever is providing the information isn't twisting the story based on their personal standpoint. I like to look at the facts, because I also don't want my information sugar-coated, or catered to a specific audience. 

The sources I use to find information aren't always unbiased, or seen as "reliable." For example, if I'm scrolling on social media and a post pops up about something going on, and it catches my attention, I will most likely go down a rabbit hole scrolling on that same platform to learn more about it.

Finding multiple sources is equally as important when seeking news. Multiple references give the reader varying perspectives, and some may highlight different parts of the story. 

The Associated Press (AP) is a fantastic source for information. I find that AP gets straight to the point when I read an article. If I ever seek to broaden my knowledge on a topic happening in our world, AP is usually the first place I turn to.

Associated Press

BBC News is another excellent source that I turn to. I find that this source is great for when I want to know more about what is happening internationally. I've also used this source many times when completing schoolwork, such as citing it as a source or being assigned an article to read, so I'm familiar with the outlet. 

BBC News 

I have started reading a little bit of The New York Times more recently. This is partially due to the fact that I play Wordle and Connections every day, which got me thinking that I may as well do a little bit of reading while I'm on the site. I feel like the articles I read do a great job of covering the stories in depth. So far, I haven't had any complaints!

The New York Times 

I don't typically turn to the Wall Street Journal first, but I do enjoy reading this source. My cousin actually studied journalism, and she recommended The Wall Street Journal to me. From what I know about it, it has strong investigative reporting.

The Wall Street Journal 

I can't lie, I do love TikTok. While not a source I would ever turn to to seek out news, I do learn a lot of information on there. Sometimes, I'll be scrolling, and a video will pop up with millions of views talking about something going on in our world. It may not be seen as reliable, but because it is such a fast-growing platform, it's hard not to see news posted there as well.

TikTok