"Covers Dixie Like the Dew"

Since their inception in 1763, newspapers in Georgia have printed a first draft of the history of the state and its people. These publications not only recorded events, but also reported the beliefs and attitudes of Georgians, documenting their successes and shortcomings. More than just a mirror of society, newspaper journalism has also been an influential voice in the affairs of the state and helped shape Georgia’s view of itself and the world. Such disparate journalists as Henry W. Grady and John H. Deveaux used their papers to paint an aspirational picture of what Georgia and the rest of the South might become. Through turmoil, division, and change, Georgia’s newspaper industry survived and thrived in its mission to deliver the news to readers across the state. Over time, Georgia’s newspapers diversified and increasingly came to reflect the different identities, viewpoints, and beliefs of its people.