Despite the fact that the influence of TV and radio rose in recent years the press is still one of the most important media for information. In Britain more than 16 million national newspapers are sold every day (disregarding regional as well as international papers). Thus the press reaches at least 40 million people and plays an important role in forming public and political opinion. Because of its considerable influence in public affairs it is considered to be an instrument for controlling the government. That is why the press is often called the "4th Estate". In Britain the press can be divided into different groups: Dailies and Sundays, Regionals and Nationals, Qualities and Populars. The difference between the quality and popular newspapers is basically obvious in style and conte nts. I will focus on the national, daily Populars in the following.
At a glance
- Grade: 1.7 (1.0 is the best grade)
- December 2001 circulation figures and ownership for British popular newspapers
- Reproduced Mirror article ‘1 Hour in Hell’ from 22 January 2002
- Historical Daily Mirror, Daily Mail and Daily Express front pages
- 10 sources in the bibliography
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Characteristics
3. Early History
4. Restrictions
4.1 Code of Practice
4.2 Press Complaints Commission
4.3 Official Secrets Act
5. Facts
5.1 Circulation Figures
5.2 Individual Papers
5.3 Newspaper Ownership
6. Effects
6.1 On Politics
6.2 On Public Opinion
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This work examines Britain’s national popular press, focusing on its distinctive style, historical development, regulation, ownership and influence. Its guiding concern is how popular newspapers operate and how they may shape politics and public opinion.
- Tabloid presentation, language and entertainment
- Early popular newspapers and their readerships
- Press regulation, privacy and the right to know
- Circulation, political tendencies and ownership
- Tabloid influence on politics and public opinion
Excerpt from the Book
3. Early History
In 1896 Alfred Harmsworth, who started as journalist and later became the first “newspaper baron”, founded the first popular paper, the Daily Mail. This was the point in history when the press began to reach the masses. Using the most up -to-date printing methods and obtaining large revenue from advertising it was produced more cheaply than his competitors and sold as a “Penny Newspaper for One Halfpenny”. It was not the first “halfpenny” newspaper but by far the most successful and it replaced the Daily Telegraph as the most widely read daily paper in the world.
One of the reasons for its success (apart from the fact that it was just the cheaper choice) was that it was aimed, both in price and content, at the lower- middle and the working class. Since the 1870 Education Act had introduced universal literacy, the reading capacity among working class members - and thus the potential readership - grew.
Looking at the diversity of newspapers today, there are enormous differences between Qualities and Populars, which reflect the different readerships and their different educational level. The readership of the Populars is much larger and generally less well educated. Scientists call the division between quality and popular readers the "knowledge gap".
Due to the success emulators emerged soon. C. Arthur Pearson, a former colleague of Alfred Harmsworth, set up Pearson’s Weekly in 1890. Ten years later it was followed by Pearsons Daily Express, the first popular paper with news on its layout. There was almost as much text as the serious press had while the former Populars only had advertisements on their layouts.
Later on the Daily Mirror, founded in 1903 by Alfred Harmsworth, became the first daily paper to top the million mark in circulation in 1911.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: The introduction sets out the importance of the British press and identifies national popular newspapers as the work’s focus.
2. Characteristics: This chapter describes tabloid format, language, presentation and the balance between news and entertainment.
3. Early History: The historical account follows the emergence of popular newspapers and discusses their expanding readership.
4. Restrictions: This chapter examines the Code of Practice, the Press Complaints Commission and the Official Secrets Act.
5. Facts: The work presents circulation and ownership information and profiles individual newspapers.
6. Effects: This chapter considers tabloid influence on politics and public opinion, including coverage following Princess Diana’s death.
7. Conclusion: The conclusion reflects on newspaper independence, readership and the risks of manipulated reporting.
Keywords
British popular press, tabloids, newspaper history, tabloidisation, circulation, newspaper ownership, press regulation, Code of Practice, Press Complaints Commission, Official Secrets Act, political influence, public opinion, privacy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this work about?
It examines the British popular press, with particular attention to national tabloids and their role in public life.
What are its central topics?
The work covers tabloid style, history, regulation, circulation, ownership and influence on politics and public opinion.
What is the work’s main objective?
Its aim is to explain how popular newspapers operate and consider their influence on British society and politics.
What research method does the author use?
The author presents a descriptive discussion drawing on published books, online sources, circulation figures and newspaper examples.
What does the main discussion cover?
It moves from the characteristics and history of popular newspapers to press restrictions, individual papers, ownership and their effects.
Which keywords characterise the work?
Key terms include British popular press, tabloids, circulation, newspaper ownership, press regulation, political influence and public opinion.
Which newspapers are discussed individually?
The work discusses The Sun, The Mirror, the Express and the Daily Mail, alongside Scottish and Welsh editions.
How does the work address press regulation?
It considers the industry’s Code of Practice, the Press Complaints Commission and restrictions associated with the Official Secrets Act.
What historical event is used to discuss tabloid influence?
The author considers newspaper coverage following Princess Diana’s death in 1997 and its relationship to the public response.
- Quote paper
- Maria Nitsche (Author), 2002, Characteristics and History of Popular Press. Its Effects on Politics and Public Opinion, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/33598
