4.1. Newsparers and Journalism

Read the article, and then complete the tasks below it.

Newspapers in the uk

In Britain more national and regional newspapers are sold per head than in any other Western country, a fact which emphasises the important role of the press in forming public and political opinion. The regional or local press is, compared to the national dailies, less significant, except in Scotland and Wales, which still have a strong national identity. But complete information can only be obtained by reading both a national and a regional paper. There are also numerous weekly, fortnightly and monthly ethnic minority publications being published by members of ethnic minorities e.g. Asians, Indians or people from the Caribbean. Newspaper reading is also part of the traditional British Sunday. National Sundays have a circulation of about 16 million copies (dailies of about 14 million).

The national newspapers, which are distributed throughout the country, are traditionally classified as either "quality" papers or "popular" papers. It is important to state that the striking difference between them reflects the gap between Britain`s social classes.

Populars are mass-circulation tabloids, which are cheaper in price and of lower standards. The so-called yellow-press is read by lower middle classes and working class people, and also by commuters. The format is the handy tabloid (which means small-sheet). There are words in bold face type, sensational headlines and illustration with (colour) photos to arouse the reader`s attention. The tabloids, which are written in an emotional, colloquial and informal style, use everyday English. There is a sensational treatment of news with emphasis on "human interests" stories and scandals; some of them are down-market in their use of sex to boost sales. Political reporting is superficial, articles are sometimes more openly tendentious.

The British press owes its international importance to seven papers with the highest standards. Those qualities are read by the educated and the élite, who normally have no problem with the format, which is mostly broadsheet. The full coverage of news is reliable and often gives additional background information. There is also a wide range of feature articles (e.g. on legal or financial affairs). Articles are mostly written by experts on the subject and are in formal, matter-of-fact, highbrow and sometimes literary style. Sunday papers include colour supplements with articles on travel, food, wine and leisure topics.

The great majority of the national papers (70% of the circulation figures) express a conservative affiliation. This fact has frequently given rise to some criticism of the British press. The monopolistic tendencies of the British press are another area of criticism. 90% of the total circulation of the national press are controlled by only five "Press Lords" or newspaper groups. The Australian Rupert Murdoch (News International) already owns one third of Britain`s national press (The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, News of the World). His media empire also includes newspapers in Australia, the US, Hong Kong and New Zealand as well as television broadcasting companies in Britain and the United States. Until 1986 The Times always presented an unbiased and balanced view of the political scene. Since the acquisitation by Rupert Murdoch the reporting has shifted to the right, and the paper has lost its dominant position in forming and reflecting opinion at the highest levels. The Independent (founded in 1986) is a quality paper which is not committed to any political stance.

Most British newspapers are situated in the Docklands of East London. Here they take advantage of modern computerised printing systems which were introduced to keep pace with soaring costs and competition from cable television. The overseas editions are printed in Britain, France, Germany, the USA, Japan and Hungary.

Press Freedom

The British press, which caters for a much larger reading public than in many other countries, is unrestricted by censorship or state control. It is considered to be an instrument of controlling and criticising government and decision-makers. It has considerable influence in public affairs and therefore is sometimes called the "Fourth Estate".

But the press are not free to express themselves in complete freedom in Britain: regulations exist to protect the legitimate interests of the state and its individuals. The unauthorised publication of state and official information can result in serious trouble for the newspapers.

The "Press Council" (1953) was set up to safeguard the freedom of the press and to maintain the highest professional standards. Unlike most other European countries the British press receives no subsidies and relatively few tax and postal concessions.

Libel

If a newspaper or magazine prints wrong or damaging information about an individual, it may be sued for libel. In such cases the editor, proprietor, publishers, printer and distributor of the print matter, as well as the author, may all be held responsible.

Contempt of court

In order to avoid influencing the decision of court cases, the media are not allowed to publish comments on court proceedings while these are continuing. They must only report the facts of the case.

Obscene Publications Act

This Act controls the publication of sexually explicit material which may offend public morality. The debate continues as to whether the controls are too tight or too lax. In an attempt to limit the abuses of the printed media, a Press Complaints Commission was set up in 1991. Editors of publications adhere to a comprehensive code of practice which seeks to regulate:

respect for privacy;

journalists’ behaviour;

references to race, colour or religion;

payments to criminals for articles.

Find the English equivalents in the article.

региональная или местная пресса; опубликовать; более низких стандартов; желтая пресса; удобный для пользования; жирным шрифтом; иллюстрация; привлечь внимание публики; сенсационный подход к освещению новостей; газетная заметка, представляющая всеобщий интерес; скандалы; увеличить продажи; поверхностный/неглубокий; открыто/откровенно предубеждённый; полное освещение новостей; основная статья; цветное приложение к газете; критика; непредвзятый; свобода печати; неограниченный цензурой или государственным контролем; публикация без разрешения; письменная клевета; индивидуальная сфера жизни; общественная нравственность

(Key p. 132)

Answer the questions using the information in the article.

1. What is the role of press?

2. What is the way to get complete information?

3. What are the national papers types?

4. What are populars?

5. What are qualities?

6. What is the british press criticised for?

7. Where are the British newspapers situated?

8. Is the British press restricted by censorship or government?

9. What does the Obscene publications Act control/

10. What are the names some of the British newspapers.

Answer the questions on journalism.

1. What is journalism?

2. What do you know or can guess about the history of journalism?

3. Would you be interested in studying journalism?

4. Is journalism a respected profession in your country?

5. What do you think of the journalism on news stations like the BBC and CNN?

6. What is the quality of journalism like in your country?

7. Are there government controls on journalism in your country?

8. What good does journalism do in the world?

9. Is journalism always about reporting the truth?

10. What do you think a career in journalism would be like?

11. Do you think journalism is different in different countries around the world?

12. What kind of journalism are you most interested in?

13. What do you think of journalists who report in war zones?

14. What kind of people are good at journalism?

15. Do you think people can make a lot of money from journalism?

16. Do you think investigative journalism would be interesting?

17. How important is journalism in today’s world?

18. What do you think of the paparazzi and gutter press?

19. Do you think the Internet can make us all journalists?

20. What do you think world leaders and governments think of journalism?

Week 4