The Ultimate Value of Newspaper Reading: Shaper of Public Opinion and Core Benefits
Notes: Newspaper gives news and views-its influence in modern life shaping public opinion-acting mouthpiece of the people. Educative value : adds to the store of our general knowledge-articles on agriculture, medical science, health, tourism, etc. Abuses : most newspapers serving party interest. ]
The newspaper has now-a-days become part and parcel of our daily life. It gives us news of what happen daily at home and abroad. It publishes regularly the speeches of political leaders, the activities of legislative bodies, the proceedings of law-courts and the reports of football, cricket, hockey and tennis matches. Film-reviews, share-markets, railway time-tables, advertizements, stories, articles on health, industry, agriculture, tourism-all have places in it too.
The newspaper exercises great influence on modern life. It shapes public opinion. The editorials scan the policies, programs and activities of the government and different political parties and point out their good and bad sides. This scansion helps to mould the opinion of the people who are incapable of forming any opinion of their own. The newspaper also publishes articles written by the intellectuals on various socio-political issues. It thus acts as the mouthpiece of the people.
The newspaper has great educative value. Its news and views add immensely to the store of our general knowledge. The articles on medical science teach us the laws of health and hygiene, the causes of different diseases, and the ways they can be prevented and cured; those on agriculture educate us about the scientific methods of farming ; those on tourism enable us to know the history of the places of historical interest. The newspaper has its abuses. Most newspapers are party papers. They sometimes publish false news intended to subserve party interests. These false news mislead people and havoc national unity.
