Glossary

accolade

tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

affluent

rich

alarmist (adj)

spreading unnecessary fear or warnings of danger

circulation

dissemination of copies of periodicals (as newspapers or magazines)

covering/ coverage

news as presented by reporters for newspapers or radio or television

dump (v)

throw away as refuse

editorial

article giving opinions or perspectives

junk (v)

dispose of (something useless or old)

lampoon (v)

ridicule with satire

readership

audience reached by written communications (books or magazines or newspapers etc.)

sister (adj)

belonging to a group of similar and related things, such as businesses, usually owned or operated by the same person or organization

sitcom

situation comedy: humorous television program based on situations that could arise in everyday life

sketch show

series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called “sketches”, commonly between one and ten minutes long

staunch

firm and dependable especially in loyalty

stunning

causing or capable of causing bewilderment or shock or insensibility

supplement

textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end

thrive

gain in wealth; grow stronger

1. Private Eye

2. Hello!

3. The Spectator

4. Radio Times

5. The New Musical

Express (NME)

6. The Economist

7. New Scientist

AA weekly news and international affairs publication edited in London. Subjects covered include international news, economics, politics, business, finance, science, technology, and the arts. The publication is targeted at the high-end "prestige" segment of the market and counts among its audience influential business and government decision-makers.

BA popular music magazine in the United Kingdom which has been published weekly since March 1952. It was the first British paper to include a singles chart. Since the 1970s, it has also provided “coverdiscs”, records, tapes and CDs, given away for free attached to the cover.

CThe BBC’s weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, carrying listings for all major terrestrial (analogue and digital), cable and satellite television channels in the United Kingdom. There are several regional editions of the magazine, which each contain different listings for regional programming.

DA weekly magazine specialising in celebrity news and gossip, published in Britain as well as other European countries. Today, it and its rivalOK!often try to out-scoop each other, by buying up exclusive rights to celebrity weddings and interviews.

E A weekly international science magazine covering recent developments in science and technology for a general English-speaking audience. It is not a peer-reviewed scientific journal, but it is widely read by both nonscientists and scientists as a way of keeping track of developments outside their own fields of study or areas of interest.

F A fortnightly British satirical magazine-newspaper, which is often accused of specialising in gossip and scandal about the misdeeds of the powerful and famous, and has been the recipient of numerous libel writs. The magazine is also home to many of Britain's most highly regarded humorous cartoonists.

GA British magazine, which claims to be the oldest continuously-published magazine in the English language. Its principal subject area is politics. The magazine also has extensive arts pages on books, music, opera, and film and TV reviews.