The Changing Face of the News Cartoon: Disruptions of Meaning, Journalistic Practice, and Audience

This book offers a pioneering examination of the evolution and impact of political and topical cartoons, focusing specifically on the overlooked genre of the "pocket cartoon." From its roots in Georgian prints to its prominent role in twentieth-century newspapers and magazines, the cartoon has served as a powerful tool of visual satire and commentary, disrupting traditional media paradigms and engaging audiences in new ways of consuming news. Adopting a historical and contemporary lens, this book explores the disruptions caused by cartoons to journalistic practices, audience engagement, and media consumption models. Through detailed case studies and analysis, Whitworth investigates these disruptions whilst returning to fundamental questions such as whether cartoonists should be considered journalists or news workers and whether the increasing popular engagement with cartooning, including via digital media, has led to changing definitions of journalism. Drawing on interdisciplinary research from across Journalism, History, Politics, and Literature, this work provides a comprehensive understanding of cartoons’ enduring influence on journalistic discourse and practice and is recommended for advanced students and researchers.