At first, news sources were letters, other newspapers, postmasters who received news by mail and reproduced it, or simply gossip picked up by newsmen in public places.
Uudiste allikaks olid esialgu kirjad, teised ajalehed, postiametnikud, kes posti teel saabunud uudiseid paljundasid, või ka lihtsalt keelepeks, mida reporterid avalikes kohtades kõrva taha panid.