UNIT VI
The uk Media reading I
Pre-reading questions:
Do you often read newspapers? What newspapers and magazines do you read?
Do newspapers in your country have a political bias?
What is the quality of the press in your country?
British Newspapers
1. Read the following text and say whether the statements after it are true or false.
Britain comes third after the Japanese and Swedes with a large daily readership. The press is neither state-controlled nor linked financially to any political party or union. However, the majority of papers are right wing and are outspoken in their support of the Conservative party. The newspapers in the UK are dominated by the national papers rather than regional papers. These papers cover national and transnational stories. The main regional papers are The Herald and The Scotsman for Scotland and for Wales. Britain also has a tradition of reading Sunday newspapers rather than weekly magazines for an overview of current issues. There is a local press in the UK, but it is less widely read. News magazines are less popular although Time and Newsweek (both American) are available.
There are two sorts of newspaper in Britain, broadsheet and tabloid (the paper size of these papers is half that of the broadsheets). There is also a perceived difference in quality between the two. The tabloids are typically more popular. They focus on scandal, gossip and sensation, their articles are shorter and there is less in-depth analysis of issues. The broadsheets are more serious in tone and cover issues in much greater detail. They have increased in size, often coming with a second, supplementary section which is tabloid in size and often devoted to a particular subject area (the arts, business, IT). Competition is fierce in the UK market, and few subjects are considered off-limits, especially to the tabloids. The debate on press-freedom – for example, in covering the royal family and any photographs used – is in full flow and still unresolved.
? 1. Britain has the largest daily readership in the world. ______
2. The press in Britain is financed by political unions. ______
3. The national press dominates in Britain. ______
4. Tabloids are bigger in size than broadsheets. ______
5. It is hard for newspapers to survive in the press market ______
2. Look through the text and find the main characteristics of tabloids
and broadsheets.
Newspapers
tabloids broadsheets
Read the profiles of some British newspapers and answer the questions.
? 1. Which newspapers are tabloids?
2. Which newspapers are broadsheets?
3. What newspapers are daily newspapers?
4. Which newspaper has the largest circulation?
5. Which newspaper is the oldest newspaper?
6. Which are the right wing newspapers?
7. Which newspapers are owned by Rupert Murdoch?
8. Which newspaper is left wing?
9. What is the bestselling daily newspaper in Britain?
10. Which newspaper has mainly female readership?
The Sun
Format: Tabloid British newspaper Circulation: 3,685,645 Publication: Daily Politics: Right of center Owner: News International 9Rupert Murdoch) Website: www.currantban.com Other: The best-selling daily newspaper in Britain, known for its photos of topless women and provocative headlines. It started in 1912 as The Daily Herald.
The Times
Format: Broadsheet British newspaper, in color Circulation: 709,546 Publication: Daily Politics: Right of centre Owner: News International Website: www.the-times.co.uk Other: First published in 1875, it is the oldest and most famous British newspaper. It is famous for its letters page and its crosswords. It is the newspaper of the “establishment” and has a large readership in the south-east of Britain.
The Daily Mail
Format: Tabloid British newspaper, in color Circulation: 2.3 million Publication: Daily Politics: Right of Center Owner: Northcliffe Newspapers Website: www.dailymail.co.uk Other: First published in 1896, it also publishes The Mail on Sunday. It has a strong financial section, and a high-income, mainly female readership.
The Daily Telegraph
Format: Broadsheet British newspaper, in color Circulation: 1,042,382 Publication: Daily Politics: Right of centre Owner: Hollinger International Inc. Website: www.dailytelegraph.co.uk Other: First published in 1855, it is Britain’s largest-selling quality daily newspaper and is noted for its finance pages and online edition.
The Independent
Format: Broadsheet British newspaper, in color Circulation: 222,200 Publication: Daily Politics: Independent/ centre Owner: Independent Newspapers (UK) Website: www.independent.co.uk Other: Launched in 1986 and founded by journalists wanting to be independent from the large media companies. It is noted fo its photography and focuses on issues not personalities.
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The Sunday Times Format: Broadsheet multiple-section British Sunday newspaper, in color Circulation: 1,293,489 Publication: Weekly, every Sunday Politics: Right of centre Owner: News International Website: See The Times Other: Dominates the Sunday quality newspaper market. It has eight sections. Its aim is to cater to everyone. It often focuses on famous personalities.
The Guardian
Format: Two-section, broadsheet and tabloid British newspaper with international editions, in color Circulation: 391,919 Publication: Daily Politics: Left of centre Owner: The Scott Trust (for The Guardian Group) Website: www.the guardian.co.uk Other: First published in 1821 as The Manchester Guardian. It is the second best-selling daily broadsheet newspaper in Britain. It has formal links with leading European newspapers. It also publishes The Guardian Weekly ( joint association between The Guardian, Le Mond and the Washington Post)
The Evening Standard
Format: Tabloid London evening newspaper, in color Circulation: 453,618 Publication: Daily from midday onwards in London area Politics: Right of centre Owner: Associated Newspapers Ltd. Website: www.thisislondon.co.uk Other: First published in 1827 as The London Standard, the paper was bought by associated Newspapers in 1988. It is the newspaper typically read by London commuters on their way home.
The Express
Format: Tabloid British newspaper, in color Circulation: 1,092,247 Publication: Daily Politics: Right of centre Owner: United News and Media Website: www.express.co.uk
The Independent On Sunday
Format: Broadsheet multiple-section British Sunday newspaper, in color Circulation: 239,181 Publication: Weekly, every Sunday Politics: Centre Owner: Independent Newspapers (UK) Website: www.independent.co.uk Other: See the Independent |