Subject File MASS MEDIA (newspapers, television, radio)

Newspapers

Different types of newspapers

Broadsheets or quality newspapers: printed on a large paper format, known for in-depth, objective reporting, and high-quality investigative journalism; focus on hard news, politics, business, and extensive editorial commentary rather than entertainment or sensationalism; traditionally aimed at educated, professional, and affluent readers; 

United Kingdom: The Guardian; The Telegraph; The Times

United States: Wall Street Journal; New York Times; Washington Post

Tabloids (also known as gutter press, redtops, yellow press, or populars): smaller, more compact-sized publications, characterised by sensationalist reporting, large arresting headlines, and a heavy focus on celebrity gossip, crime, and human interest stories;

United Kingdom: Daily Mail; The Sun

United States: New York Post

Task 1

Check out the links above and find national newspapers in your country which are equivalent to broadsheets and tabloids in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. 

Ex. 1: Study the adjectives below describing reporting styles. Decide which refer to broadsheet and tabloid journalism.

reliable - predictable - biased towards (in favour of sth.) - entertaining - unreliable - sensationalist - harmful - factual - provocative - controversial - judgemental - balanced 

Important concepts when talking about newspapers 

Ex. 2: Complete the online exercises.

British Council Learn English: How to spot fake news

Newspapers in the 21st century 

Nowadays, newspapers face several challenges.

• Print newspaper readers continue to age, while younger generations source information elsewhere, usually on social media and from independent creators on the web.
• Advertising revenues in print newspapers continue to decrease, while ads on digital platforms generate a lot less money.
• Production costs, especially for paper and printing, have increased dramatically.
• Outlets struggle to monetize digital content through subscriptions, while battling algorithmic changes on tech platforms and AI search tools that drain web traffic.

 

Courtesy: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/11/28/audiences-are-declining-for-traditional-news-media-in-the-us-with-some-exceptions/sr_23-11-28_sotnm_1-png/

Newspapers depend on revenues which they generate through 

• sale revenues & subscriptions
• paywalls & pay-per-view
• advertising 
• public subsidies 
• donations, corporate funding

Nonetheless, newspapers, as the "Fourth Estate", play an important part in functioning democracies.

 

Holding power to account:

Investigative journalism uncovers corruption, abuses of power, and misuse of public funds, acting as a critical check on the government and powerful entities.

Informing the electorate: 

Newspapers provide fact-based reporting and in-depth analysis on complex policies, ensuring voters make educated choices during elections rather than relying solely on political rhetoric.

Providing a forum for debate: 

They offer a structured space for diverse perspectives, editorials, and public discourse, which encourages civic participation and helps shape public policy.

Combating misinformation: 

Unlike unverified content on social media, professional news outlets adhere to strict editorial standards, fact-checking, and ethical guidelines, making them trusted sources of truth.

Talking about newspapers 

Topic vocabulary.

Sections in a newspaper

Grammar of newspaper headlines

• Simple verb forms are preferred (no auxiliaries such as do, be, have)​
• The present simple tense is used to refer to past and present events.​
• The infinitive with to is used to talk about future events.​
• Complex noun phrases can compress a lot of information.​
• Articles are dropped.​
• Short nouns or abbreviations are ideal to save space.​
• Neologisms (new words), puns, alliterations, hyperboles and colloquialisms are often used.

Television

Ex. 2: Find examples for the following types of news channels. 

24/7 rolling news channels - education - sports - music - 

entertainment - children - business and finance 

Ex. 3: Match the concepts with the definitions below.

(1) public broadcasting stations 

(2) private broadcasting stations 

(3) licence fee 

(4) streaming on-demand services 

a) ... radio and television outlets owned and operated by non-governmental, private corporate         entities or individuals rather than the state; focus heavily on entertainment, popular                    programming, and targeted commercial or local news to attract audiences and maximize         advertising revenue

b) ... online platforms that let you watch movies, TV shows, and videos over the internet                    whenever you want, instead of following a fixed broadcast schedule; benefits: instant                 playback, device friendly;

c) ... radio and television outlets that operate primarily to serve the public interest rather than             to make a commercial profit; to educate, inform, and enrich communities through                     cultural, scientific, and children's programming, as well as public service journalism

d) ... mandatory payment to the public broadcasting station

Task 1: Topic vocab. Watch the videos and practise the vocabulary by talking about your                     personal preferences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrSKyfzGrRA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnEC32jJbDU

Radio

Task 1: Read the article below. Do you agree?

https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/technologies-evolve-radio-will-never-disappear

Task 2: Reflect on your personal radio consumption.

1. When do you listen to the radio?
2. Which stations do you listen to?
3. What content do you get from radio programmes?

KEY

Ex. 1:

Broadsheet journalism: reliable, predictable, factual, balanced

Tabloid journalism: biased towards (in favour of sth.), entertaining, unreliable, sensationalist, harmful, provocative, controversial, judgemental 

Ex. 3: 

a (2); b (4); c (1); d (3)