The Importance of Newspapers
The newspaper has become the common man’s window to the events happening all around the world. A modern educated man cannot enjoy his morning cup of tea until he has the morning’s paper before him. It brings him news and views from all corners of the world. In modern times, newspapers are considered to be the givers of information, news and views.
The primary function of a newspaper is to provide news of all kinds. A successful newspaper caters to all kinds of readers-scientists, sportsmen, cinema fans, politicians, businessmen, lawyers and jobless workers anxiously looking up advertisement columns. It widens one’s knowledge and keeps one in touch with the advances made in the fields of science, education, medicine and technology. Besides their informative character, newspapers possess literary value. Articles by well-known writers, commentaries by great men, book reviews by able critics, all find their way into newspapers.
Newspapers are a very powerful means of propaganda. The editorials and leading articles in a newspaper have great effect on its readers. Next in importance are the letters to the editor. These highlight some problem and ask for immediate action. Most of the newspapers carry sports news everyday. There are also columns on agriculture, education, industry and finance on fixed days of the week. Newspapers help in creating among the readers the spirit of goodwill and mutual understanding with other nations of the world.
Newspapers form and mould public opinion. They contain a lot of useful information regarding national and international events in political, social, economic, scientific, religious and literary fields. The public remain in constant touch with the leading events in the world. Newspapers also mobilise public opinion on national issues and thus help in mass education. They make people aware of their rights and duties.