Who owns the newspapers?

In some countries, newspapers are owned by the government or by political parties. This is not the case in Britain. Newspapers here are mostly owned by individuals or by publishing companies, and the editors of the papers are usually allowed considerable freedom of expression. This is not to say that news papers are without political bias. Papers like THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, THE DAILY EXPRESS and THE SUN, for example, usually reflect Conservative opinions in their comment and reporting, while the DAILY MIRROR and THE GUARDIAN have a more left-wing bias. The INDEPENDENT holds the centre ground with no linked political views.

Sunday papers

In addition to the 12 national daily papers there are nine national papers which are published on Sundays. Most of the “Sundays” contain more reading matter than the daily papers, and several of them also include “colour supplements” - separate colour magazines which contain photographically-illustrated feature articles. Reading a Sunday paper, like having a big Sunday lunch, is an important tradition in many British households.

Local papers

Nearly every area in Britain has one or more local newspapers – in England alone there are around 90 daily papers and over 850 which are published once or twice a week. Local newspapers provide an important focus for the community, reporting local news and advertising local business and events.

Choose the correct answers:

1. The quality papers try to entertain rather than inform.	4. Most colour supplements are published on Sundays and are:
A true	A bought with Sunday papers
B false	B bough separately from the Sunday papers.
2. The circulation of newspaper is:	5. The most popular quality newspaper is:
A the number of people who buy it	A THE TIMES
B the number of people who read it	B THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
3. The readership of a newspaper is:	6. Newspapers in Britain are owned by:
A the number of people who buy it	A the Government
B the number of people who read it	B individuals and publishing companies