[Points: Importance of newspaper—news value—views value—educative value—recreational value—best medium of advertisement—caution necessary.]
Man is curious by nature. He wants to know what is happening around him in the wide world. The newspaper is the best medium to meet this curiosity. This is why it plays such an important tole in modern life.
The primary object of a newspaper, as it's name implies, is to supply news. Modern newspapers have a wide range of subjects to meet different interests. Greater space is devoted to political and economical news because they are of common concern. There are also news about literary and scientific matters, games and sports, the stage and the cinema, the stock market, etc.
Equally important is the views value of a newspaper. It's editorials and letter columns point out what is good or bad in society and government, and thus promote the good of all. They also help the growth of public opinion and keep the government informed of it.
The newspaper has also a great educative value. It helps us to keep abreast of the current events all over the world. Modern newspapers also contain articles on various subjects and are thus very useful guides to all round knowledge. A man who does not read a newspaper regularly is like one shut up in a cloister. Ignorant of current topics, he cannot even follow, far less take part in talks and discussions in an enlightened society. Just consider how small he feels and what a poor impression he creates.
The recreational value of a newspaper cannot be ignored. When we feel tired or lonely, we often take up a paper for relief.
The newspaper is also the best medium of advertisement. Businessmen bring their products and goods to the notice of a wide circle of people very quickly and cheaply through it. This helps trade and the consumers too.
But of one thing we should be very careful. Most newspapers are party papers. Naturally, therefore, the editorial comments are generally inclined towards the particular political parties they belong to. We should not be blindly guided by these comments, but should keep an open mind and form our own independent opinion on the problems discussed.
