In this booming industry of journalism, there is an important place for print journalism, which serves as a foundation of the media industry. Print journalism consists of various forms of written media like newspapers and magazines, which are important when it comes to engaging their readers worldwide.
In this article, we will understand print media journalism, learn about the history of print journalism, look at some examples of print journalism, and know the types of print journalism. Continue reading this article to get in-depth knowledge about print media journalism.
Table of Contents
- What is Print Journalism?
- Importance of Print Journalism
- History of Print Journalism
- Types of Print Journalism
- Newspaper
- Magazines
- Journals
- Tabloids
- Conclusion
What is Print Journalism?
A practice of reporting and publishing true events in the form of newspapers, magazines, or any other written format to a large audience is called print journalism. It consists of researching, writing, editing, and publishing new and latest stories in a format that is tangible and distributed to the audience. Print journalism is one of the traditional forms of reporting news and serves as the primary source of sharing the latest events happening all around the world.
Importance of Print Journalism
Sharing true and detailed information with the audience is crucial and print journalism is trusted with it. It is the foundation of democracy as it holds the higher authorities accountable and shapes public opinions. Print journalism also helps people remember the history and culture through the physical records of past events and trends. Even if there is a digital shift, print journalism keeps up with its originality, comprehensive offerings, and context in this booming and fast-growing media landscape.
History of Print Journalism
The story of print journalism started centuries ago, starting with handwritten news in olden times. However, the modern version known as modern print journalism was introduced in the 17th century when the printing press came into existence. Due to this technology, there was a large number of newspapers produced and circulated quickly like never seen before. As time went by, print journalism has adapted to many changes like technological or societal needs and still remains a very important source of news and information.
Types of Print Journalism
There are many different forms that print journalism consists of each catering to a different audience and different reasons. There are different ways through which information is delivered like newspapers, magazines, newsletters. Print journalism covers a wide range of topics like breaking news, comprehensive analysis, or engaging stories. These various types of print journalism are important and play a crucial role in updating, entertaining, and engaging audiences across the entire world.
Here are the different types of print journalism:
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Journals
• Tabloids
Newspaper
Newspapers are read all over the world which can be accessible at home and newsstands. They reach a wide audience and are affordable. There are different types of newspapers for different readers as per their interests. For advertising, newspapers are a great choice as they are budget-friendly and cater to a big audience.
Newspaper journalism in print journalism has 3 types:
• National Newspaper
• Local Newspaper
• Speciality Newspaper
National Newspaper: National newspapers are newspapers that cater to events taking place on a national level, it can be regarding economy, political affairs, etc. They have a big audience across the country.
Local Newspaper: Events taking place in a particular locality are the main focus of local newspapers. These newspapers bring together detailed information on local political affairs, local business, etc.
Speciality Newspapers: Speciality newspapers are news or publications that concentrate on a specific topic or interest. They distribute publications on industries like sports, finance, entertainment, health, etc. This news is for people who are interested in a particular niche and want comprehensive coverage in that field.
Magazines
Comprehensive articles covering topics like food, sports, fashion, finance, and lifestyle are offered by magazine articles. They are either weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually published and are then distributed globally. For targeted marketing advertising in magazines can be expensive but it helps reach the specific target audience. It is important for the ads in magazines to be visually appealing and on the point.
Here are some types of magazines:
• Lifestyle Magazines
• News Magazines
• Special Interest Magazines
Lifestyle Magazines: Lifestyle magazines are for audiences looking for insights into health, fashion trends, relationship advice, and home décor, focusing on improve their lifestyle.
News Magazines: News magazines report or publish news about current events, political affairs, and social concerns, giving readers a comprehensive knowledge to stay updated with what’s happening in the world.
Special Interest Magazines: Special interest magazines are magazines that focus on specific topics like industries, hobbies, etc. These magazines are altogether based on providing comprehensive information about the reader’s interests and passions.
Journals
Journals are like a valuable find that is full of information covering different areas. This is where experts share their research, findings, experiences, and thoughts. You can find journals like academic journals, which are for students; professional journals, which are for specific jobs; and trade journals, which entirely focus on a particular industry or sector. Each has its own purpose and target audience.
Here are the types of journals:
• Academic Journals
• Professional Journals
• Trade Journals
Academic Journals: These journals play an important role in unraveling research and sharing advanced studies in various academics. They go through a rigorous check to see if the quality of the research is good and on point. These journals often include literature reviews, research articles, case studies, and conceptual conversations that are contributed by the researchers of the field.
Professional Journals: Professional journalism plays an important part in research in specific fields like education, law, or engineering, they are a platform through which one can share practical insights, findings, and industry trends. These journals may contain articles no upcoming trends, case studies, creative practices, and expert suggestions for the professionals of that particular industry.
Trade Journals: These types of journals are specifically for professionals in a specific field or industry. They provide comprehensive knowledge of industry news, trends in the market, regular updates, and advancements in technology. Trade journals are to inform professionals about recent developments in their industry, giving crucial information for the market dynamics, strategies to competitive plans, and business opportunities. They consist of industry articles and analysis, reviews on products, interviews with industry leaders, and updates on trade associations and events.
Tabloids
This type of print media focuses on sensationalistic narratives, gossip, and political events. They are comparatively smaller than other news and have a lot of writing in bold to catch the eye. They are mostly published on a day-to-day basis or weekly, they are also easy to find as you can find them in a store or a newsstand. Many times the story might not be true but because they are interesting and have some eye-catching headlines and pictures people tend to read it.
Here are the types of tabloids:
• Celebrity Gossip Tabloids
• Sensationalist Tabloids
• Political Tabloids
Celebrity Gossip Tabloids: This type of print media focuses on celebrities. They tell readers about what is happening in the lives of celebrities, their relationships, scandals, and in general their lifestyles. They usually add images taken by paparazzi and hypothetical articles about the affairs of celebrities. All this leads to attracting readers with shocking headlines and gossip.
Sensationalist Tabloids: These types of tabloids are based on lurid or hyperbolic stories; they focus on emphasizing sensational stories at the risk of accuracy. With all this content they tend to grab readers’ attention, connivance, adding criminal events, and supernatural events.
Political Tabloids: Political tabloids focus on political news and controversies, presenting biased viewpoints and provocative opinions on current events and political figures. They often employ sensationalist tactics to influence public opinion and stir controversy, featuring bold headlines and inflammatory rhetoric to attract readership.
Start Your Career in Journalism
Journalism can be a lucrative career option if you are an enthusiastic and passionate individual, interested in writing and reading stories on different topics. There are online platforms that will help you start your career in this industry. One such platform is AAFT Online. AAFT Online’s Ultimate Journalism Certificate Program is a program that is designed under the guidance of experts working in this industry. This program equips students with the necessary skills to excel in this competitive industry. You will learn about the print media, types, and techniques of reporting, broadcasting media, and more. So, if you are looking to start a career in the media industry AAFT Online can be a perfect start for your success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the print media hold a significant space in the journalism industry, with various publications about informing, entertaining, and engaging audiences worldwide. Each type of print media serves its particular purpose of engaging readers. Even with the rise of digital media print media still holds its ground and is a trustworthy choice of readers.
