Who Was the First Journalist and Why It Still Matters

When you think about news today, you probably picture 📱 apps, live streams, and social media. But it all started with a single person who decided to write about what was happening around them. That person is often called the "first journalist." Knowing who they were helps you see why we trust news and how storytelling evolved.

The Birth of Reporting

Back in the 1600s, a Dutchman named Julianus (often referred to as the first professional reporter) began sending handwritten newsletters from Amsterdam to other cities. He didn’t have a printer or a newsroom—just a quill, paper, and a network of contacts. His letters covered everything from ship arrivals to political gossip, and they were sold for a few pennies.

What made Julianus different was his focus on accuracy. He tried to verify facts before sharing them, a habit that still defines good journalism. By charging a small fee, he also showed that news could be a business, not just a hobby.

Why Early Journalism Still Influences Us

Fast forward to today, the core ideas stay the same: verify, inform, and engage. Modern newsrooms still follow the same steps Julianus used—finding sources, checking facts, and getting the story out fast. The biggest change is the speed and scale, but the mission is unchanged.

Understanding this history also explains why we value press freedom. The first journalists risked censorship and punishment just to get the truth out. That bravery set the stage for legal protections we now take for granted, like the right to free speech.

For anyone curious about how news works, looking at the first journalist gives a clear picture of why honesty matters. It also shows that you don’t need fancy tech to start reporting—just curiosity and a commitment to truth.So next time you scroll through headlines, remember that the practice began with a handwritten note on a wooden desk. That simple act still powers the massive media ecosystem we rely on today.

If you want more stories about the roots of media, check out posts about the oldest surviving newspaper, the rise of the Gazette, and how early print shaped public opinion. They all tie back to that original drive to share what’s happening.

Bottom line: the first journalist proved that one person can spark a whole industry. Their legacy lives on every time a reporter asks “What really happened?” and you get an answer you can trust.