There has always been true journalists, and it seems there are periods where groups become more prominent in waves, but, at least from the many news papers I have read from that time, from the US, Canada, and the UK it was all corporate voice, and extremely ham fisted government propaganda. I can’t tell you how many ads I have seen for over consumption, especially of questionable shit, with the US government calling for being a real American, or whatever, that buys this American product. Write-ups about military actions, especially ones with natives, that are basically just fabricated stories about brave christian soldiers protecting innocent homesteaders from the savages. When I first started looking these up I was kinda surprised at how bad it was actually, and I was expecting pretty much the same. The biggest thing I noticed was that there was a LOT more long form article 200 years ago. However they, like today, were largely industry/political puff pieces, socialite blather, etc.

Also, the amount of casual libel in century plus old news papers is insane. Absolutely would not fly today.