Essay on Newspaper: The Importance of Newspapers in Modern Society

The newspaper refers to a printed publication consisting of a number of large sheets of folded paper and contains news, views, articles, advertisements and other information. It is called the mirror of a nation. It is the natural way of bringing one part of the world to another part of the world. Newspapers always arouse excitement and curiosity and compel people to read on. Newspapers play an important role in a democracy and are the most powerful and effective medium of mass communication. Newspapers have been a very effective tool in keeping ourselves updated about the happenings in different sections of society. 

Essay on Newspaper

There are numerous benefits that are associated with reading newspapers. We can develop our general knowledge and engage in the language and vocabulary. Apart from being informative, they are also entertaining with the inclusion of different niches such as fashion and lifestyle. Society derives immense benefits and uses from the newspapers. They are modes of communication that have a very powerful effect on changing the opinions of society. This is derived from the wide circulation and mass readers that they have. Millions of people read newspapers on a daily basis and information can be transferred to many people in a cost-effective manner. The wellbeing of the society is dependent on the freedom of the press. It helps to give a voice to public opinion. We may sometimes argue that they are one-way communication, but they are actually mutually communicative platforms. 

Daily reading a good newspaper is an efficient way of keeping in touch with current affairs. We get in touch with the happenings in the world, whether it is about politics, sports, finance, headlines, etc. Newspapers cater to a huge part of the population. News about politics, Economy, Industry, Finance, Society, Spirituality is already covered in the multiple pages and sections of the newspaper. There is also usually a section for children who are keen on having fun and entertainment. Newspapers are a major source of public demographic rates, such as births, deaths. Reading newspapers helps in improving one’s vocabulary. It helps in enhancing the general knowledge. We get to see the perspectives of a wide range of people. Reading the newspapers is a common breakfast time activity in most households. 

Apart from the news, there is a variety of information to process. Newspapers let us know about cultures, traditions, arts, classical dance, etc. It informs us about the days and dates of various fairs, festivals, occasions and cultural events. It is a collection of news with a series of interesting things to keep us engaged.

In modern times, when everyone is so busy in their daily lives, it is hardly possible for us to get any idea or knowledge about the outer world. So newspapers are the best option to get rid of ignorance. It is beneficial for all spheres like students, businessmen, politicians, sportspeople, teachers, industrialists, etc. 

Earlier, newspapers were published with only briefed news details. Currently, it contains news and views about various subjects. Various newspapers in the market cost differently depending on their news details and popularity in the area. Newspapers serve more than one purpose. It is a messenger, a source of knowledge. It is the broadcaster and also a powerful medium of awareness. It provides information about the events happening in the world, not just social and political. Along with forwarding the state of affairs, this is also the medium of advertising and marketing of brands. In this, advertisements for goods, services and recruitment are printed for the common knowledge of the people. Through the newspaper, we are well aware of all the events around us. Where on one side there are many advantages to the newspaper, there are some drawbacks too. Sometimes newspapers use false and old stories or even rumours to showcase their credibility. Although people have to pay a monthly fee for the newspaper, the main section remains limited to advertising. Due to this, the newspapers print ads without authenticity and also get rid of by asking the readers to work with their discretion. 

It fully enjoys the freedom of speech by being unbiased or supportive of anyone or anything. It furnishes only the authentic details. It is a good source of knowledge and information. Newspapers have always played an important role in forming and moulding public opinion. 

History of Newspaper in India

Hicky’s Bengal Gazette was the first newspaper printed in the year 1780, under British rule. The newspaper delivered the news of British rule in many areas. Soon it became the mouthpiece of the national leaders both at the regional and national levels. Newspapers played a stellar role in educating, convincing, and driving people in order to spread nationalistic and patriotic ideas and views. It aroused strong determination among the people to liberate India from British rule. Some leading and powerful newspapers like The Tribune, Kesari, Maratha, The Hindu, and Swadeshi played a very significant role in propagating the nationalist agenda against the British. 

People would collectively read the newspaper and discuss their plan of action. Newspapers directed the Indians towards freedom. Even after independence, on many occasions, newspapers have brought to the forefront issues that were contentious but required public debate for their resolution. It helps in raising public conscience towards evils that plagued the society like dowry, child marriage, issue of untouchables, sati rite, etc. 

How does Newspaper Reading Help?

Newspapers connect you to the world and that is why it is referred to as the mirror of the world. The objective of reporting news is to keep democracy alive. Its forceful voice of defiance is the lifeline for a true democracy to function and flourish. Newspapers provide us with news on various political activities, economy, social issues, stock markets, sports, and entertainment in different columns. 

A free press works liberated and a regulator of democracy. It keeps a vigilant eye on the working of the government, highlighting its omission and commissions. In a democratic society, newspapers play the role of the sentinel of the rights of the people. It serves as a link between the government and the people. Newspapers also connect us to other parts of the world by giving information about the happenings and developments taking place in other nations. 

Importance of Newspaper for Children and Students

You should read the newspaper to keep yourself updated with the current affairs of the country as well as the world. Not only this, one gets to know about various options available for one’s career, that is, job vacancies, admission notifications in various institutions, scholarships in the country, and even abroad, walk-in interviews for jobs, etc. There is a matrimonial column in the newspaper where you can find a suitable match for yourself.  They are easily available in almost every region of the world and make people aware of certain important things around them. It is an economical means to get knowledge at a very low cost. Newspapers are available in different languages and thus it makes it easy for people to read and get information in their own language.

Reading newspapers is a very good habit and this habit should be inculcated among children right from their childhood. Newspapers have great educational value. It helps in increasing the general knowledge, improving the understanding of language, writing and reading skills, vocabulary, and also helps in developing personality. One can keep up with the fast-paced world, the changes that take place now and then. 

Schools must encourage the students to read the news daily in the morning assembly. Schools must organise regular quizzes or general knowledge competitions based on the information on current events, sports, politics, and the economy. This is how children can develop the habit of reading newspapers. 

The habit of reading newspapers is extremely important in today’s world as it gives us every minute details about our surroundings – everything related to the present, significant impact of past events, and also helps us to predict or dream the future. Reading newspapers helps in developing the intellectual faculties of a person and hence should be practised with great interest, zeal and fervour. 

Role of Media Overpowering Newspaper Reading

The advent of electronic media is diminishing the habit of reading newspapers, especially among the youth. The young generation seems to be hysterical by the more easily accessible visual media. They are more hooked to instant news because of the fast-paced life that is plaguing society as a whole. Everything has become visual and the media makes it so attractive for the users that they are forgetting the essence of our heritage newspapers. They are running out of the habit of reading newspapers. The newspaper is a valuable source of information among people. It is easily available in every language. The newspaper is a common thing among every class or section of society. In this technological era, newspapers shouldn’t lose their identity. The Newspaper comes under print media.

Conclusion

Even though social media and other electronic media are far more easily accessible, let us not forget the importance of reading the newspaper and inculcate this habit of reading in our children so that they continue with the legacy. Newspapers are still given top preference even over the twenty-four hours TV channels. A good newspaper reflects the society and values of public opinion. It provides solutions to various social and economic problems. It should be free from the intervention of the government and it should be fair in its reporting.