partisan press Written by David W. Bulla Contributor to SAGE Publications's The SAGE Encyclopedia of Journalism (2022) whose work appears in Britannica as part of a joint publishing agreement with SAGE. David W. Bulla Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated May 26, 2026 •History The term partisan press refers to journalism practiced within a political sphere, as opposed to a more independent profession. Partisan journalism is connected with democracy, a form of government that has contested political leadership. In the United States, the partisan press era began after the Revolutionary War and lasted until the Civil War. During that period of time, the majority of American journalists worked for newspapers with definite political leanings, and many newspapers were started...

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