12/12/2019 OPINION ESSAY

ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT

Submitted To Mam AFROZ

Tesmia Shafiq (190905)

Romesa sareer (190909)
ARE NEWSPAPER NECESSARY NOWADAYS

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“The newspaper is a greater treasure to the people than
uncounted millions of gold”.

Newspapers have been a very important aspect of our lives for hundreds of
years and the only window for people to the news around the world for quite
some time. From the origin of printed press in Italy, to the first newspaper in
Britain discovered by Mr. George Chalmers in 1558 reporting on the Spanish
armada, to the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal in the 1920’s writing
on latest reports on the Wall Street crash to the news around the world relating
the incident of 9/11, newspapers have certainly been an integral part of our daily
existence.

But with the new era of 21st century, where other dominant media such as
internet, television, and radio to a certain extent, have almost taken over our
entire lives completely, have the good old newspapers lost their relevance over
the years? Are newspapers necessary in today’s era? In my opinion newspapers
are certainly necessary in today’s world and are not overturned by the emerging
media. Most people all around the world begin their day with none other than
reading the newspaper and understanding about the events and happenings in
their respective country and around the world.

Many people say that newspapers are unnecessary and redundant, but the
printing press as it was once called is very much alive, such that almost every
second family has access to the papers. Some people believe that newspapers
are mostly read by the older generation of people, above 50 who think and
believe in the old practices. They claim that the younger generations do not
believe in reading papers at all.
Others claim that it is better to follow the lead of internet, television and radio,
but newspapers are vital to maintain good old habits in the coming generation.
With extensive technology, reforms and gadgets, reading might almost get as
extinct as a dinosaur. Page | 2

Therefore it is essential to keep newspapers, to instill reading habits in children

and make them more aware of issues around the world. Besides, newspapers
provide much more informative and educative content as compared to
television and the radio. Moreover, as the Newspaper Works survey suggests,
90% people are more focused when they read as newspaper as compared with a
mere 50% for television. Watching news on T. V is a waste of time as most people
spend maximum time changing channels than actually learning anything
substantial.

Newspapers also provide qualitative analysis with a high level of integrity unlike
the much hyped media that only looks for breaking news. Environmentalists
often remark it is better to catch up with news on the internet or television than
with newspapers as millions of trees are cut to make these papers. Television
and internet aren’t environmentally friendly either, as they waste electricity and
power which are the prime sources of pollution, carbon-dioxide emissions in the
atmosphere, the breaking up of the ozone layer and global warming.

Moreover, newspapers are conserving trees rather than destroying them as

most newspapers are made from recycled paper. Hopefully, newspapers shall
never be a dying entity and journalism shall never be a dying art, as their play a
pivotal role in our lives. Television and web browsing may seem attractive, but
the real educative knowledge comes from the newspapers. According to me
newspapers are the way forward to a more aware society- a society where every
single person, rich or poor, young or old can understand issues that are affecting
our country and the world around us.
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