Newspaper is an important object of modern civilization. It is most commonly accepted as a record of the current events. But the meaning and role of a newspaper are more than being a mere document of events. Newspaper appeared only after the invention of the printing press by Guttenberg. The India Gazette is the first newspaper in India. It was published in 1744. The circulation of news paper has increased. It has become a mark of civilization.
Newspaper is a means of voicing the public opinion. Various items of news are published in a news paper. All kinds of people read it. Lawyers come to know the cases of social and political injustice through newspaper. They express their opinion about those cases of injustice.
Businessmen read newspapers and gather information’s about trade and commerce in the country and abroad. Students and teachers come closer to each other through newspaper. Newspaper serves as a means of teaching and learning. Politicians find newspapers very useful for conveying their political vie to the masses. M.K. Gandhi edited the Young India expressed his views about the freedom of India.
The newspaper influenced the people and all were united to fight independence. When news of corruption or crime published, the police become active. The Government also pays attention to the news in the newspaper. In case of public grievances, the Government sincerely tries to redress them.
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Newspapers should be free from bias and partiality. They should not try to satisfy the political party in power. Newspapers should act as a strong opposition to strengthen democracy. Very often, true and honest reporters are tortured, insulted, terrorised and often killed by antisocial. Newspapers are often set to fire before they reach the readers.
Editors are bribed to write the wrong thing. Some politicians vomit their rage against some newspapers which expose their dishonesty. They try to close that newspaper and encourage another newspaper which will be conducive to their interest. At any cost, the editor of a newspaper must be honest and impartial. Freedom of the press is greatly essential.
In Orissa there are many newspapers today. The Samaj, the Prajatantra, the Sambad, the Samaya, the Asha, the Pragatibadi are some of the Oriya newspapers which are published daily. People also read English newspapers such as the Statesman, the Times of India, the Hindu, the Indian Express, the Telegraph, and the Asian Age etc. The Eastern Times is an English newspaper which is published in Orissa.
Some newspapers have morning edition and evening edition. Sometimes, a particular newspaper is published simultaneously in different parts of the country. Today newspapers are appreciated for the news about sports and films, news about share markets, matrimonial and opportunities.