NA - Newspapers and the Media

THE PRESS

There are two different types of newspaper in the UK, broadsheets and tabloids.  Broadsheets are the serious newspapers with more text, in-depth comment, a smaller circulation, and a wider coverage of news stories. Their prime concern is to provide the reader with a comprehensive coverage of the news in the world. For this reason, they are also known as the quality press. The prime concern of the tabloids, in contrast, is to entertain their readers. 

Broadsheets (Quality Press)                        

The Guardian     

The Times

The Independent

Tabloids

The Sun

The Star

The Mirror

Some vocabulary

CONTENTS OF A NEWSPAPER

PEOPLE

article: a text or piece of writing on any non-fiction subject caption: lines under a photograph which explain what the picture is about column: the vertical divisions of a page or opinion or comment expressed by a regular writer comic strip: three- or four-panel drawings that tell a story, usually humorous credit line: acknowledging the source of a picture editorial: an article written by the editor stating his opinion feature: a longer article about special subjects, usually displayed prominently front page: the first page of a paper, usually carrying the most important story headline: the title at the top of an article news story: An objective article written about an event or situation obit: An obituary; a story of a person's death review: An account of an artistic event such as a concert or a play            which offers critical evaluation

columnist: writer who gathers facts and writes opinions critic: a person who writes articles, esp. stating opinion, about art, music etc editor: the head of a newspaper or newspaper department journalist: a person who writes articles sub-editor: an assistant editor foreign correspondent: a news writer/reporter, based in another country paparazzi: international press corps who compete for stories, usually of a sensational nature publisher: administrative head of a newspaper reporter: a person hired to rush to the scene and phone back information as soon as possible

TELEVISION

There are five main channels in Britain. Two national commercial-free BBC networks (BBC1, BBC2) and three commercial services (ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5).

All the channels offer a mixture of drama, light entertainment, films, sport, educational, children's and religious programmes, news and current affairs, and documentaries. 

The BBC has been providing regular television broadcasts since 1936. ITV is the most popular commercial television channel in britain, watched on average by 45 million people each week.

BBC

ITV

Channel 4

Channel 5

What's on TV

RADIO

Listen to the British Radio

The most prominent stations are the national networks operated by the BBC.

BBC Radio 1 broadcasts mostly current pop music output on FM and digital radio, with live music throughout the year

BBC Radio 2 is the United Kingdom's most listened-to radio station, featuring presenters such as Chris Evans and Terry Wogan, and playing popular music from the last 5 decades as well as special interest programmes in the evening

BBC Radio 3 is a classical music station, broadcasting high-quality concerts and performances. At night, it transmits a wide range of jazz and world music

BBC Radio 4 is a current affairs and speech station, with news, debate and radio drama. It broadcasts the daily radio soap The Archers, as well as flagship news programme Today

BBC Radio 5 Live broadcasts live news and sports commentary with phone-in debates and studio guests