Newspapers

                   Newspapers are periodically published documents that carry current information about the society. Earlier newspapers were not daily publications as we see now. They were published weekly or bi-weekly. This was due o the absence of adequate technology and newsgathering system. By the early 19th century, power press was invented. This led to fast printing. Invention of telegraph and teleprinter also helped us gather news from remote places. This all facilitated the introduction of daily newspapers.


                   The first newspaper was Publick Occurrences published by Ben Harris in 1690. The first newspaper published in India was the Bengal Gazzet by James Augustus Hicky in 1780. It is also called Hicky’s Gazette.

                   Newspapers are primary mass medium from which people receive news. The research results show that newspapers reach more people than any other medium do. And, by every measure, newspaper industry overpower all other media, be it in advertising revenue and in the size of audience.

Unlike other mass media, newspapers influence people in a many significant ways. A newspaper article or news is valued more than television or radio programmes. And, newspaper content is considered more credible and accurate. Capability to be used for future reference make newspapers people’s favorable medium, especially for the middle and working class for they can use it after their working hours.. Diversity of content is another feature this medium. It can carry a rich mix of news, features, articles, columns, cartoons, graphics, editorial etc. And, readers can select what they want from the entire content. Some people prefer sports page and they read it first while others look for political news and some other for stock market. Selectivity and content diversity make newspapers a real mass medium. This is not possible in the case of radio and television.

In any society, the traditional newspapers are part of their culture and social system. They talk about their newspapers affectionately because they give them information, education, entertainment, more over ways for socialization and legitimization of new values. In democratic society, the Press is the Fourth Estate. At primary level, the Press means newspapers.

Of the print media, newspapers are the most read one. It is assumed that 3 out of every 4 literates read newspapers. In United States of America, daily newspapers reach 185 million people a day. For advertisers, newspaper is a medium of choice since it attract active readers (active audience) compared to any other media. Even then newspapers are facing many challenges from electronic media and new media.

Newspapers are printed products created on a regular (weekly or daily) basis and published in multiple copies, containing mainly updated information about happenings in the society. Regular newspapers were not in circulation till 17th century because of the absence of adequate printing or duplication technology.

Role of Newspapers

In their early years, newspapers were centre of debate and they were run by scholars, political leaders, reformers and revolutionaries. The main mission of the Press in its infant stage was to argue with government for better life conditions and freedom of the people. Because of their capability to raise public opinion and alternative thinking, the Press at that time is called by media historians as adversarial press. During this period, governments imposed stringent licensing systems and taxes on newspapers. In spite of these measures, English newspapers continued their battle against colonial policies of the Britain. The public anger created by the Press culminated in the American Revolutionary War. The newspapers in other countries may also have same kind of stories to tell. The early newspapers, both in English and in local languages in India also formed public opinion against the British policies and at last resulted in the withdrawal of English forces from Indian soil.

Advances in printing technology encouraged newspapers to adopt new modes of production and distribution which led to mass circulation of the medium. Circulation means the number of newspapers people paid for or received free in one publishing cycle. The steam powered cylinder press invented by Hoe and Company and development of low-cost newsprint were the innovations in printing sector. These made it possible to print thousands of copies in a short time and sell them at a price low enough that even working people could afford. It was then newspapers became the real mass medium. During 1800s, with their popularity newspapers were sold on the street at a low price. So they are called penny papers. Newspaper circulation increased into tens of thousands due to the popularity they gained over decades and more and more innovations were introduced in printing sector. Rotary press with revolving types and offset press are some of them.