The processes of technological change and their implications on newspapers publishing. A case study: Diario de Navarra (1903-2004)

Abstract

Along the 20th century, mass media and, in particular, newspapers, have been at the same time first-hand witness as well as central characters of the great social, economic, and technological transformations occurred during this period. In this sense, this study analyzes the processes of technological change occurred in the 20th century and their impact on the organization of newspapers and their publishing process.Methodologically, this work follows a case study approach where the main focus of analysis is the regional newspaper Diario de Navarra, first published in 1903. Following a historical perspective, the article analyzes, contextualizes, and critically assesses the different changes occurred in the areas of editing, advertisement, documentation, photography, etc as a consequence of the introduction of new technology in these areas. Such technological transformations have modified not only the process of newspapers editing and publishing but they have also had an extraordinary influence on the very concept of what is nowadays considered information, informative language, journalist's role, etc.