newsboy

A newsboy is a person who sells newspapers on the street, typically in urban areas, by calling out headlines and offering copies to pedestrians. The role became common in the 19th century with the rise of daily newspapers and mass circulation. Newsboys usually bought the newspapers at a wholesale price from publishers or distributors and sold them at a small profit. They often worked early in the morning and along busy street corners, using baskets or sacks to carry multiple copies, and sometimes relied on bicycle routes or fixed newsstands. Although traditionally associated with children and adolescents, adults also performed news vending in some regions and periods.

The occupation functioned as a form of entry-level labor, providing income, independence, and experience in commerce. It also faced risks, including long hours, harsh weather, traffic, and the competition of other vendors. In some periods, newspaper publishers attempted to control distribution by raising wholesale prices or changing terms, prompting collective action by newsboys. The best-known example is the Newsboys' Strike of 1899 in New York City, where thousands of youths protested price increases and working conditions, drawing attention to child labor and urban labor movements.

Today, the traditional image of the newsboy has largely faded due to changes in distribution, digital news, and labor law. In contemporary contexts, the term may describe street vendors who sell newspapers or magazines, or be used metaphorically to refer to someone who aggressively promotes news content.