The Press: In Dubious Battle

For San Franciscans, modern journalistic history began in 1887 when the late William Randolph Hearst, then 23, received the morning Examiner as a gift from his wealthy father. Almost overnight Hearst turned his wan and unimpressive present into the gaudy forerunner of a 26-paper chain,* and within four years he had sent it soaring ahead of the rival Chronicle on the way to a supremacy reflected in the proud masthead boast: "The monarch of the dailies." Last week, after nearly seven decades as Northern California's biggest and most influential newspaper, the Examiner was...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!