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From Horror to Fanaticism: Why were the upper classes shocked by reports of their own social activities?
In 19th-century America, social reporting first became popular in the country's newspapers, becoming the primary source of gossip about social events and celebrities. While the initial response was one of shock and repulsion, over time this social coverage became a key driver of high society and its activities.
Social reporting initially shocks people in the community, then gradually becomes curious, and eventually becomes a source of information they crave.
It all started in 1840, when newspaper magnate James Gordon Bennett Sr. founded the New York Herald's society page. These reports focused on the lives and social gatherings of the rich and famous, with names often omitted for one reason or another. This style immediately aroused the resentment of the upper class of the time, making people feel uneasy and dissatisfied because their private lives were exposed to the public.
With the frequency of reports, many celebrities have gradually become accustomed to this kind of attention, and have even begun to care about the accuracy and beauty of the reported content. In a world shaped by social reporting, popular gossip allows people to redefine their social activities.
“No matter how obtrusive social reports are, for those who long to be the center of attention, the charm of exposure is irresistible.”
In 1879, in New Orleans, female reporter Pearl Rivers founded the local society column "The Social Bee". Some of her reports have aroused public revulsion at having the private lives of female celebrities made public, especially among conservatives who believe that "women's reputations should be protected." This initial opposition did not hinder the development of social reporting; rather, the reactions reflected upper-class panic and subsequent interest in exposure.
In the social context after the American Civil War, many emerging wealthy classes focused their attention on social activities, and social reporting became more and more popular. Reporters began to dig deeper into the preferences of wealthy families and even attended their gatherings to obtain first-hand information. In 1885, Ward McAllister was hired by Joseph Pulitzer to become the social reporter of the New York World, making social reporting an integral part of the newspaper. .
"Social reporting has always been considered an inferior job, but there is important news value hidden behind it."
In this situation, female journalists have gradually become the main force in social reporting, and they explain social dynamics from a more sensitive perspective. In the 1920s, May Birkhead became one of the most famous society columnists in history. Her reporting extended to the transatlantic social scene and she became the "official spokesperson" for celebrities.
However, with the end of gender segregation in the 1970s, the term "women's edition" gradually disappeared, and the role of women in journalism began to expand. From traditional social activity reporting to exploring more challenging issues, such as feminism and social injustice, the content and form of social reporting have undergone fundamental changes.
"Social reporting was once an important stage for female journalists, but now it can no longer be wrapped under a conservative veil."
Looking back at this historical change, we can see how social reporting transformed from initial panic to enthusiasm, and eventually became an important part of the upper class's self-identity. With this emerging attention, we can’t help but wonder, with the evolution of technology and social concepts, where will social reporting go in the future?
