PRESENTED BY KORMAN, MEARS, MILLS, BAGGOW

Figure 1: Benjamin Franklin Quote Source: cracked.com

Benjamin Franklin Born 17 January 1706

Boston, United States

One of the Founding FathersAn author, Journalist, Printer, Inventor, Scientist, Statesman, Diplomat

Figure 2: Benjamin Franklin Source: ushistoryimages.com

• At 12 years of age, became apprentice to

his brother, James Franklin• James Franklin owned New England

Courant• Pseudonym Mrs Silence Dogooder• 14 articles published in the New

England Courant

• Ran away from his brother and

apprenticeship to Philadelphia Figure 3: Apprentice Benjamin Franklin Source: worldhistoryproject.org

The Pennsylvania Gazette • In 1729, Benjamin became owner, editor and publisher • Newspaper was filled with articles that were serious and satire• Published his work under his own name and pseudonyms• Serious articles and reported news stories on crimes, laws , natural

events and odd incidents• General stories, gossip stories and letters from readers

Figure 4: The Pennsylvania Gazette Source: The Lit Mod Liz Blog

“Journalism is the gathering and disseminating of new information about current events, trends,

issues and people to a wide audience.”Media and Journalism, 2011

Articles were concisely descriptive and exposed all sides of an issueHelp ordinary people to start thinking for themselvesThe Pennsylvania Gazette was one of the most successful newspapers of his time

Announcement of The Fourth Estate was three years prior to Benjamin’s death

“a newspaper in every house [is] the principal support of virtue, morality and civil liberty” Benjamin Franklin

Every person is entitled to know the truth

Upkeep of a healthy democracy

Passionate about PoliticsContributions to Science, Philosophy, Politics, and EducationAmerican RevolutionDeclaration of IndependenceContinental CongressColonial Deputy Postmaster

Figure 5: The Declaration Committee Source: http://www.loc.gov/

The Library Company of Philadelphia – 1731

Subscription free LendingSet the path for othersImproving intelligence and knowledgeRich or Poor

Figure 6: Library Company of Philadelphia Source: http://www.desertsailor.info

“I grew convinced that truth, sincerity, and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost

importance to the felicity of life.”The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1896

Journalists should strive toCommunicate ideas

Promote open and spirited dialogBe ethically bound to avoid injury to others

Not publish scurrilous or defamatory materialAir both sides of a story

Ethical Conflicts

1731 threatened the Freemasons with bad publicity in his writings if he wasn’t elected as a member.

1740 heavily criticised New Jersey Governor Lewis Morris and refused to print Governor Morris’ side of the issue.

Figure 7 Governor Lewis Morris

Limitations in the practical side of journalism rather than his writing.

Pennsylvania Gazette was rarely edited or collated in a consistent manner.

No serious attempts to raise the mechanical standards of his business.

Man of many talents and titles Biographer J. A. Leo Lemay describes Franklin as “a harmonious human multitude” His journalism was used for the greater good Provided public access to education& knowledge Husband, father, friend. Man who est. “good citizenship” Fought for rights of everyday person Inventor: Lighting rod, Odometer, Swim Fins, Daylight saving time to

name a few. 1785 – President Pennsylvania Quakers

(abolition of Slavery group)

Appreciation

Figure 8: Source: http://www.upenn.eduPenn Press, 2015, accessed 23rd March 2015, http://www.upenn.edu/pennpress/book/14523.html

Animosity Utilised his fame & journalistic skills for power & personal progression i.e.: Freemasons Owned 2 slaves & thought of the black race as inferiorJournalistic sense – there is no animosity against the great man. Personal values – flirtatious manner, dropped out of school at age of 6, but no faults in journalistic history.

Man of honourFought for freedom of speech – bringing knowledge &

information to the massesAdhered to his own writing ethicsVery influential to any budding journalist.

Figure 9Source: http://www.burbanklodge.com/Burbank Masonic Lodge No. 406 F&AM, 2010, accessed 23rd March 2010 http://www.burbanklodge.com/foundingfathers.htm

Figure 1: Benjamin Franklin Quote Source: cracked.comCracked Readers, 2013, The 45 Most Badass Lines uttered in Real Life, 16 March 2015, http//www.cracked.com/photoplasty_713_the-45-most-badass-lines-ever-uttered-in-real-life/&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=cscHVefhCrDu8wen7YGICg

Figure 2: Benjamin Franklin Source: ushistoryimages.comHatzigeorfiou K.J, 2012, U.S. History Images, 16 March 2015,http://ushistoryimages.com/images/benjamin-franklin/fullsize/benjamin-franklin-5.jpg

Figure 3: Apprentice Benjamin Franklin Source: worldhistoryproject.orgSamuels B, 2015, Benjamin Franklin Begins Apprenticeship, 17 March 2015,http://worldhistoryproject.org/1718/benjamin-franklin-begins-apprenticeship

Figure 4: The Pennsylvania GazetteSource: The Lit Mod Liz BlogSaturday Evening Post, 16 March 2015, http://stantoneng14620.wordpress.com

Figure 5: The Declaration CommitteeSource: http://www.loc.gov/Currier & Ives 1876, The Declaration Committee http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/91795008/

Figure 6: Library Company of Philadelphia Source: http://www.desertsailor.infoDesertSailor.info 2006, Library Company of Philadelphia http://www.desertsailor.info/libs/1876_report/libcophil.php

Figure 7 : Governor Lewis MorrisSource : New Jersey County Information SitesMorris County Library, 2014, accessed 18th March 2015, http://www.gti.net/mocolib1/kid/county.html

Figure 8: The Life of Benjamin Franklin, Volume 3Source: http://www.upenn.eduPenn Press, 2015, accessed 23rd March 2015, http://www.upenn.edu/pennpress/book/14523.html

Figure 9: Burbank Masonic Lodge No. 406 Free & Accepted MasonsSource: http://www.burbanklodge.com/Burbank Masonic Lodge No. 406 F&AM, 2010, accessed 23rd March 2010 http://www.burbanklodge.com/foundingfathers.htm

Beck, S 2006, Franklin’s Practical Ethics, viewed 17th March 2015, http://www.san.beck.org/11-11-FranklinsEthics.html

Benjamin Franklin, 2015, 16 March 2015, www.biography.com/people/benjamin-franklin-9301234

Canada M, 2010, Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790, 16 March 2015, http://www2.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/lit/franklin/

Franklin Centre for Government & Public Integrity, 2015, 17 march 2015,www.franklincentrehq.org

Franklin, B 1896, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, e-book, American Book Company, New York, available at http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36151/36151-h/36151-h.htm

Franklin & Marshall College 2005, Franklin’s Fair Handed American Journalism, viewed 17th March 2015, http://www.benfranklin300.org/_edu_pdf/BF300Plans_Middle4.pdf

LEVINSON M 2009, Benjamin Franklin: A Time-Binder Extra Ordinaire, Benjamin Franklin: A Time-Binder Extra Ordinaire

Lifediscdocs1001, 2014, THE LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, 17 March 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmJegIpEGQg

Media as Fourth Estate, 2012, 18 March 2015,

www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/boaz/pol326/feb12.htm

Independence Hall Association 2014, The Library Company http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/philadelphia/library.htm

Stverak J, 2011, Ben Franklin’s legacy thrives in 2011, 17 March 2015,

www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/ben-franklins-legacy-thrives-in-2011/Content?oid=2168256

The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary 2005, Benjamin Franklin Timeline of Events

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/teachingfranklin/Docs/7_12/Gnatz/Ben_Franklin_Timeline_Gnatz.pdf

Twin Cities Public Gtelevision Inc., 2002, Benjamin Franklin, An extraordinay Life. An Electric Mind, viewed 23rd March 2015

http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/

U.S. National Archives & Records Administration 2015, The Founding Fathers: Pennsylvania http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_founding_fathers_pennsylvania.html