Introduction
The newspaper is all important these days. It is almost the first thing that greets you in the morning. You read what is happening in all parts of the world and for a while get out of the narrow circle of your personal affairs. So much is happening every day that unless you keep yourself abreast of these changes you cannot adjust yourself to them or move with the times smoothly and easily.
Benefits
A modern newspaper is a chronicle and an encyclopedia in miniature. The events that happen are recorded in a newspaper. It seeks not only to inform but to interest, to stimulate, and to excite.
A busy person hardly gets the time to read everything that it contains. One person may be interested in politics, another in sports. These are matters of personal preference. But generally, it is necessary for all alike to read the progress that is being made from day to day in the affairs of your country and in the affairs to the world. Reading a newspaper makes a person fit to participate usefully in a cultivated society.
Newspaper also imparts patriotic feeling among the citizens of the country. The inspiring stories of our freedom fighters are vividly described during National festivals and other occasions.
Caution while Reading Newspaper
But newspapers contain much that is useless or even harmful. Newspapers have a trick of handling sensational news that excites national passions. There is a part of the means to increase circulation. They also help to decry or boost up political parties according to the colour of the newspaper. A reader must be particularly on guard against this type of journalism. He must be critical and circumspect.
How to Read a Newspaper
It is necessary to have a basic knowledge of history and geography, or political and economic theories. Unless one knows the historical background or the geographical location of events reported, they will convey little of value of importance. In short, one must bring to the reading of newspapers an educated mind, an informed judgment, and an essentially critical understanding if they are to serve any purpose other than mere entertaining gossip.
Importance of Reading Newspaper
Newspapers keeps us informed of what is taking place around us. It tells us of political events, social events, sensational events, sport events, etc. Even the advertisements have their value. In these days a newspaper is indispensable to life.
Abuse of Newspaper
If newspapers are read in search of sensationalism, it becomes a real evil in life. A good deal is often misreported that leads to dangerous consequences. Newspapers are vehicles of political parties, and neutral readers find it difficult to arrive at a balanced judgment. The quick, critical intelligence of the readers, then, is the only check against any ‘palpable’ or cloaked design.
Conclusion
It is also good to remember that the newspaper is a highly organized industry today. Reading newspaper is of high importance and indispensable. A critical and independent readership alone can bring the owner to heel, whenever necessary.