Heinrich von kleist's berliner abendblaetter in the context of the epoch: on the formation of professional journalism in Germany

Abstract

The article highlights the idea that there were two types of periodicals in Germany at the turn of the 19th c., each of which played a significant role in the formation of professional journalism. Those were publishing and publishing-editorial periodicals: the publisher was in charge of management and the financial and technical provision of issues, while the publisher-editor was in charge of the ideo logical and creative aspects as well. "Publishing" newspapers (Verlegerzeitung) were primarily focused on financial benefits; still they contributed to shaping journalism as a professional field. Publishing-editorial newspapers played an important in shaping public opinion and the public in general (Oeffentlichkeit). The first daily newspaper in Berlin Berliner Abendblaetter" [Berlin's Evening Sheet] (October 1, 1810 - March 30, 1811) edited by the poet Heinrich von Kleist was among them. It was a daily four-page tabloid. The majority of the published works were produced by Kleist, who also edited the few incoming works, texts from other periodicals and dispatches from Berlin police. The study of the newspaper showed that under conditions of the occupation regime and strict censorship Kleist managed to make it universal by content. The most important part of the periodical was "Miscellen" [Miscellaneous], it featured political news from German and foreign newspapers which were in limited access due to the current conditions. It is revealed that Kleist published data distressing for the authorities, and gave information refuting these data. As a result, the French envoy delivered a protest against the non-loyal periodical to the Prussian Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the beginning the business was going well. Kleist was on friendly terms with the Berlin policeman- president, referred to dispatches from Berlin police, which attracted the reader's attention. The court clerk and publisher Julius Hitzig funded the newspaper and printed it in his printing house. Some time later the authority-poet conflict arose. It was typical of Prussia and Germany as the poet was the medium of noble values and a true patriot. For that very reason the cautious Hitzig turned his back upon Kleist as well. The study of Kleist's epistolary heritage reveals the story of his confrontation with censors, which resulted in financial losses. It is noteworthy that Kleist claimed that he was offered "money compensation for the opinion which was in line with government interests and for the decrease in popularity inevitable in that case". Since December 1810, the letters more and more often feature persecution on the part of the government. "The Chancellor by means of outrageous and almost lawless censorship made me change the spirit of the newspaper regarding public issues completely". Kleist insisted on different principles "based on the freedom of opinion and respect of law as it is supposed to be in a liberal way of things". Thus, Kleist's Berliner Abendblaetter is an example of the formation of journalism as a socially responsible practice in the occupied Germany