The modern world has become much smaller than what it originally was, largely due to the development of communication systems and skills. News papers form the major means of vehicle of these communication systems which have helped the society to change for better over the years.
A news paper is any printed periodical or work containing public news or comments on public news. Each news paper tries to win the heart and loyalty of its readers through news and views, articles, pictures, poems, cartoons, editorials, and news items. It censures the corrupt and the erring, airs public grievances and reflects public opinion through letters to the press. Napoleon feared four hostile newspapers more than a thousand, bayonets and said “ a news paper is a grumbler, a censurer, a giver of advice, a regent of sovereigns, a tutor of nations”. So life without newspapers would become a void, a meaningless charade without direction or purpose.
In India newspapers have a vital role to play and an important duty to perform both as voice of the people and as builder of public opinion. In this sense, it is the ‘people’s university’— book, pulpit, platform, forum, theatre and counsellor, all in one. There is no interest— literary, social, political, economic, commercial, scientific technological, cultural religious and so on and so forth-which is not covered by the news papers.
The news papers in India also perform their role as guardians of the public interest, watchdogs and a source of all kinds of information. They are not state controlled, they enjoy freedom of expression. Of course they function within bounds of law. But they keep a powerful check on the misdeeds, the tyranny and the corrupt practices of the government.
Again, the news papers have always played a significant role in arousing the awareness among the people in time of crises and calamities. They are most important as they are effective, economically viable and readily available to the large section of people.
However, some news papers encourage rumours, go on wild goose chase and harp on ‘investigative journalism’.
But in spite of all these, the newspapers have been playing vital and praise worthy roles in India. The present day newspapers educate the readers in almost in all fields- science, engineering, Technology, medicine, economy, business, sports etc. They also act as intermediaries for social activities like matrimonial, personal advertisements. They provide students information about higher studies and mention the details about job opportunities.
So, a life without newspapers is a life frightfully unimaginable and incredibly hard; indeed a dull, drab, enervating and colourless drag.