Activist journalism, fueled by pamphlets, magazines, editorials, and newspapers, is shaping public opinion. In the late 18th century, a national abolitionist petition campaign sparked in Britain. Liverpool, a city benefiting from slavery, saw a significant rise in petition signers from 10,000 to 100,000 in just one year. This trend continued, with an estimated 400,000 signatures four years later. It's a remarkable swing in public opinion.