A sociological analysis of the Negro press in Los Angeles

Unrestricted
It is the purpose of this study to present an analysis of the Negro Press in Los Angeles. It attempts to show from a sociological view the component elements and the chief purpose of the press. The press is analysed by showing its chief purpose and functions, the factors that compose the press, and the contents of the various newspapers. Objectivity is sought throughout. Rating one paper superior to another similar paper will not be attempted. It is true that some may have reached a more developed stage journalistically because of their experience while others are new in the field. By limiting the study to the press of Los Angeles, a more thorough picture may be presented. Only papers published in Los Angeles by Negros that can be purchased by the public are presented. They are the ones that would circulate sufficiently to be of sociological importance. The study is limited to publications that have appeared within the last four years, 1942 to 1945 inclusively. Within the last few years same books have been written with chapters on the Negro press, and several magazine articles have appeared. To my knowledge only three books dealing with the Negro Press exclusively have been published, of which only one is in print, namely, Detweilder's The Negro Press, 1922. Original research is therefore imperative in many ways and complete information is not always possible.; The aim of this thesis is to answer the following questions: 1. Is there a need for the Negro press in Los Angeles? 2. To what extent does it have a real purpose? 3. How did it start, and why? 4. What types of editorials are presented in the Los Angeles Negro's press? 5. What type of advertisements are now carried in the Negro Press? 6. How much space is actually devoted to crime items? 7. What are the types of materials presented in feature sections? 8. Where does the news of the non-local type of the papers come from? These are the chief questions that arise concerning the Negro's press.