THE RETURN OF THE PENNY PRESS

Two centuries after the Penny Press lit the fuse of revolution, Above the Fold revives that spirit — cheap, fast, loud, and free from the corporate dynasties that hijacked the news.

There is a byline. / CONTRIBUTED

The penny press was never free.

It was cheap enough to matter.

For a coin, readers bought access. For a few more, they kept the presses running. That small exchange made…