NPR

How Free-Press Champion Joseph Pulitzer Became The Father Of Modern American Journalism

The new PBS documentary "Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People" looks at Pulitzer's life and how he used the free press to defend American democracy.
Joseph Pulitzer, the late publisher of the New York World and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, was considered one of America's outstanding journalists at the time of his death in 1911. (AP Photo)

The PBS show “American Masters” will profile a man on Friday night who wasn’t born in America — he was a Jewish immigrant from Hungary — but who became one of the fiercest defenders of American democracy.

His tool? A free press.

The new documentary “” looks at the life of Joseph Pulitzer, the man behind the award that

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR4 min read
Magic, Secrets, And Urban Legend: 3 New YA Fantasy Novels To Read This Spring
A heist with a social conscience, a father using magic for questionable work, an urban legend turned sleepover dare: These new releases explore protagonists embracing the magic within themselves.
NPR3 min readWorld
The Eurovision Song Contest Kicked Off With Pop And Protests
Performers representing countries across Europe and beyond took the stage in the first of two Eurovision semifinals in the Swedish city of Malmo, against a backdrop of both parties and protests.
NPR3 min readIntelligence (AI) & Semantics
ChatGPT Maker OpenAI Exploring How To 'Responsibly' Make AI Erotica
The San Francisco-based AI juggernaut says it is re-evaluating its policies around "NSFW" content.

Related Books & Audiobooks