TEXT 4
THE MOST POPULAR DAILY PAPERS
The «popular» newspapers respond to their estimates of their readers interest. They use enormous headlines for the leading items of each day, which are one day political, one day to do with crime, one day sport, one day some odd happening. They have their pages of political report and comment, thrive on sensational stories and excitement.
The two archetypal popular papers, the Daily Mail and Daily Express, were both built up in the early twentieth century. The Express was built up by a man born in poverty in Canada. He built up his newspaper in Britain, not only on crime and human interest stories, but on his simple message about the greatness of the British Empire. The circulation of the Express at one time exceeded 4 million copies a day. Now the daily sales are not much more than half of their highest figure. The history of the Daily Mail, with its more conventional conservatism, is not greatly different. Both of these papers have become «tabloids» (printed on smaller sheets of paper) within the past ten years.
In popular journalism the Daily Mirror became a serious rival of the Express and Mail in the 1940s. It was always tabloid, always devoted more space to pictures. After 1945 it regularly supported the Labour Party. The Daily Mirror also became the biggest-selling daily newspaper. For many years its sales have been above 4 million, sometimes well above.
The Times is the most famous of all British newspapers, and has always been the paper of the «Establishment», who use it for announcements of births, marriages and deaths. Politically it is independent but inclined to be sympathetic to the Conservative Party. It is not an organ of the Government. Sometimes its leading articles may be written after private consultation with people in, for example, the Foreign Office; but they are often critical of any government. The letters to the Editor, which are printed next to the leading articles, are very influential, and may lead to wide discussion of the views which they express.
The Guardian was called the Manchester Guardian until 1959. It became a truly national paper. Later it moved its base to London. In quality, style and reporting it is equal with The Times; in politics it is perhaps best described as «radical». It is more favourable to the Liberal Party than to the Conservatives. It has made great progress during the past thirty years, particularly among intelligent people who find The Times too uncritical of established interests.
The Financial Times has recently shed its old commercial specialism and has become a major quality paper. Its circulation has grown enormously.
EXERCISES
Ex. 1. Use the proper tense.
1. The nature of news (to be) a favourite subject of discussion among journalists. 2. In 1882 George Meisenbach (to invent) the method called autotype. 3. In two years he (to become) a fairly experienced editor. 4. The collection of news (to become) a highly organised business since the appearance of the first newspaper. 5. They knew that Karel Klic (to invent) the heliogravure before the autotype method. 6. While I (to look through) illustrated magazines I found many pictures of famous actors.
Ex. 2. Active into Passive.
1. An interesting material was devoted to the trip of the President abroad.
2. The Conservative Party is strongly supported by The Times.
3. Has this tabloid ever been printed in your city? — No, but it has been printed and circulated in the capital.
4. The photographs of the young correspondent were not taken notice of by the visitors of the exhibition.
5. The Times has always been used by the «Establishment» for announcements of births, marriages and deaths.
Ex. 3. State the function of the infinitive.
1. Не doesn't like to be deprived of his rights.
2. To translate this article he consulted the dictionary.
3. His aim was to enter the University.
4. She doesn't seem to be writing anything now.
5. This reporter is unhappy to have failed his staff.
Ex. 4. Use P I or P II.
1. As he had finished his work, he returned to the office.
2. While she was writing her composition she used the dictionary.
3. I listened to the radio which was broadcasting the latest news.
4. The article which was written by my friend is read with great interest.
5. As the advertisement aroused the interest of a considerable number of readers it was published in the evening issue.
Ex. 5. Use the proper form of Gerund.
1. I don't think the article is worth (to print).
2. The journalist went on (to select) the information for the paper.
3. This photographer succeeds in (to make) portraits.
4. We don't like the way of (to cover) the latest news in this periodical.
5. It is impossible to discuss a book without (to read) it.
Ex. 6. Answer the questions on the text.
1. What are the typical features of the «popular» newspapers?
2. What can you say about the two archetypal popular papers?
3. Why has the Daily Mirror become a serious rival of the Express?
4. Whose newspaper is The Times? Is it an organ of the Government?
5. What was The Guardian called until 1959?
6. Why was it popular among intelligent people?
Ex. 7. Make a short summary of the text.