Posted by Chester Morton / Monday, 4 April 2016 / No comments
How Newspapers help in the formation of Public Opinion
Through
Published Articles
There
are no newspapers with empty pages. It is the news and feature articles that
actually, make newspapers what they are. When people buy these newspapers and
read, it helps to shape their opinion on one issue or the other.
Through
Editorials of Newspapers
In
every newspaper house, there is editorial policy. This editorial policy
reflects in the editorial columns of the newspaper. The editor takes one or two
national issues and makes his opinions on that matter known to the reading
public. By the time the issues expressed in the editorial column is digested by
the public, opinions are formed.
Through
Newspaper cartoons
A
cartoon is defined, on Google, as a simple drawing showing the features of its
subjects in a humourously exaggerated way, especially a satirical one in a
newspaper or magazine. The cartoons in newspapers have their own way of
influencing the opinion of the readers. So cartoons are great tools in the
formation of public opinion.
Through those
who pass on Newspapers information
In
societies where few people are able to afford the price of newspapers every day or those who themselves cannot read, they depend on information relayed to them
by those who can afford to buy or who do get the chance to read the newspapers.
Such people are also indirectly influenced by the newspapers to form their
opinion.
Letters
column of newspapers
Newspapers
have letters column, and the editors encourage people to express their views in
the form of "Letters to the editor". The editors have confirmed that
the letters they receive, cover a wide range of issues. Many people read these
letters as seen in the responses to these same letters, also published by the
editors. So the letters column of newspapers can also help in the formation of
public opinion.
Newspaper
Circulation
The
wider the reach of the newspaper, the greater the number of people it is able
to influence. Some newspapers only circulate in the urban centres and therefore
are able to shape the opinion of just a few people. Some other newspapers have national coverage. As many as read these newspapers, the opinions of that
many are formed. So the circulation of a newspaper can determine how opinions
are formed.
SAMPLE
QUESTIONS
1.
Highlight six ways in which newspapers mould public opinion? [12 marks]
2.
a. What is a newspaper? [2 marks]
b. Explain five ways in which newspapers mould the opinions of the people?
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