The Nature of Newspaper

Newspaper Defined
The Newspaper Act of 1958 Section 2 defines newspaper as "any paper Newspaper Defined
containing public news, intelligence or any remarks, observations and coinvents thereon
printed for sale and published in Nigeria, periodically or parts or numbers but does not
include any newspaper published by or under the authority of the government”.
Thus, a newspaper is any unbound, periodical publication usually printed on low-cost paper
called newsprint containing news and comments on a variety of current events and circulated
for the consumption of the public. Photographs are increasingly used by newspapers to
complement stories and other entertainment elements.
Newspaper can therefore be regarded as a journal that report happening as soon as they
unfold. As purveyors of news and events, it helps individuals to formulate opinion on a
particular situation. The owner of the newspaper is called the publisher. The editor supervises
preparation of all or part of the newspaper.
Functions of Newspaper
Newspaper performs many important functions in the society. The following are some of the
major ways in which newspapers serve the public.
a) Keeping Readers Informed: Each newspaper tries to keep its readers well informed on
current events about local, national and international affairs so that they may form
opinions based on knowledge
b) Entertaining Readers: Some items are printed solely for the purpose of entertaining
readers. Newspapers feature news of unusual or humorous events, comics and cartoons,
stories, puzzles, games and contests and similar items that are both entertaining and
relaxing.
c) Informing Authorities of the Needs of the Public: In a democratic society, newspapers
serve as a link between the public and its leaders. It tells its readers what local and national
leaders are doing, what they are thinking, how they are acting. This is the watchdog role of
newspapers. At the same time, newspapers tell these leaders what the people want, how
they feel, what they need.
d) Educating Readers: Newspapers perform this function by going beyond the basic facts of
an event to in-depth analysis. The newspaper publishes news report and also present the
opinion of commentators, columnists and its own opinion in editorials on current events.
The influence of newspaper's editorial may be very great. Such editorial often become the
basis of opinion for readers who do not have all the facts on which to form their own
views.
e) Helping Readers live more comfortably: A newspaper furnishes up-to-the-minute
information about products, services and activities that can make life better, more
interesting or more worthwhile for its readers. Many newspaper items such as
advertisement serve this function.
Characteristics of Newspapers
For a publication to be regarded as a good newspaper, it must meet certain conditions.
According to Groth (1920), the underlisted points are the attributes of a reputable newspaper.

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Periodical Publication: There must be a fixed period in which newspaper must be published.
By this a newspaper could be week (Weekly) and so on. The most published every day
(daily), every regular and maintained. Any newspaper that is being published epileptically is
not worth to be a good newspaper.
Mechanical Reproduction: A newspaper must be produced through a mechanical device.
Timeliness: This is the news value that emphasizes the immediacy of an event. Newspaper is
primarily a medium for disseminating news of current events as well as their interpretation.
Readers want to be 4abreast of events, they want their news "hot and fresh". Gibson sums up
the meaning of immediacy as "what separates news from history". Current issues should be
the focus of a good newspaper.
It Must Contain Multifarious Contents: Apart from news items which are paramount in the
mind of any newspaper man, other items such as features, articles on religion, entertainment,
business, sports, tourism etc., should be included so as to appeal to divergent views of the
society.
Accessibility: Everybody should have equal access to the newspaper in as much as one has
the purchasing power. A newspaper is not supposed to be classified for a particular set of
people in the society.
Both the rich and the poor in the society should have equal access to the paper. There should
not be any hindrance to it acquisition. No person or organization should have the exclusive
newspaper.
CLASSIFICATION OF NEWSPAPERS
Newspapers can be classified in various ways. However, the efforts towards classifying the
newspaper were pioneered by Hynds (1975). Cited in Uyo (1987) and Tosanwumi (1994).
These scholars identified nine factors or criteria mat can be used to classify newspaper. Six of
them are discussed below.
Frequency of Publication: Using this criterion newspaper can be classified as dailies and
non-dailies. To be considered a daily, newspaper must be published at least five days in a
week. Most major newspaper in Nigeria are dailies. Examples are The Guardian, The Punch,
Thisday, The Nation, Vanguard, Champion, Daily Trust, The Nigerian Tribune, The
Compass„ The Sun etc.
Non-daily newspapers are those published once a week (weekly), once in two weeks
(biweekly or fortnightly) etc.
Circulation: This refers to how many copies of a newspaper are given away free or are
bought by the readers. To this end, newspapers with circulation rate of 100,000 and above are
considered large; while those between 50,000 to 100,000 are considered medium and papers
with less than 50,000 circulations are considered small.
Format: This has to do with the physical form or size of the newspaper. The two well-known
formats are tabloid and broadsheet (or standard).
Ownership: In Nigeria, the pattern of ownership of newspapers remains public and private.
Both the federal and state governments have vested interest in the business of newspapering.
Most reputable newspapers in Nigeria are privately owned.
Time of Publication: This refers to the time a newspaper hits the newsstand and the street.
On the basis of this, there are three categories of newspaper. Thus, a newspaper could be
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published in the morning (A.M Newspaper), evening or late afternoon (PM News) and the
Combination newspaper. The combination newspaper or round the clock newspapering occurs
when a morning and evening papers are Owned by the same newspaper organization. In
Nigeria, most newspapers are morning newspapers.
Geography: A newspaper can also be classified based on the territory over which they are
intended to circulate or reach. Thus, a newspaper community (e.g., Oriwu Sun), may be
classified as neighborhood or minority newspaper international per (e.g., urhobo Voice),
regional newspapers (e.g., The Westerner), national paper (The Guardian), an attractive to
note that some newspaper (e.g., International Herald). It is ins newspapers go beyond their
geographical boundaries and may be read in other countries. That does not make them
international newspapers. Thus, an international newspaper must be intended for readers in
different countries. There is emphasis on news from various parts of the world, interpreting
and commenting on such news regularly as well.
Types of Newspapers
While all newspapers, by definition, deal with current events and have the same general goals
of providing information, education, entertainment and interpretation of events to the readers,
several specific types can be identified. These include:
Daily Newspapers: Daily newspapers (also known as dailies) are published at least five days
in a week, in either morning (A.M) or evening (P.M) editions. Saturday and Sunday
(weekend) editions are slightly different as they focus more on human interest stories spiced
with elaborate pictures and less on hard news. Examples of daily newspapers include:
Vanguard, The Nation, The Punch, The Guardian. Daily newspapers, feature fresh news about
events that have taken v glace during the last 24 hours or that are to take place as the near
future. Of all the different types of newspapers, dailies circulation, have the widest p '
circulation, or average number of copies sold.
Non-Daily Newspapers: These types of newspapers are Published weekly (once a week), bi-
weekly or fortnightly (once a weekly (once in three weeks) and the monthly There are also
semi-weekly newspaper once in four Weeks’ weeks), three times a week. Characteristically,
these papers serve reader in small urban and sub-urban areas with emphasis on local news.
They contain more of features and personal news about local people and events.
Local/Community Newspapers: These are newspapers published to serve a region, city or
community. Examples include: Kwara Herald (Kwara State) Hope Newspaper (Ondo state),
Osun Defender (Osun State).
Ethnic/Minority Newspapers: These are newspapers devoted to the interest of a particular
ethnic, cultural or minority group. Examples, Oke-Ogun News, Affinai News (for Afemai
readers in Edo State)
Regional Newspapers: These are newspapers circulated within a given geographical region.
Regional papers cover between two to seven states. The Westerner is an example of regional
newspaper.
National Newspapers: These are newspapers that are distributed throughout the country.
They cover news in all parts of Nigeria through their correspondents. Examples of national
newspaper in Nigeria are: The Guardian, This Day, The Punch, The Daily Trust etc.

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International Newspapers: As the name suggest, these are newspapers that are primarily
intended for readers in different countries. The contents of this kind of paper have universal
appeal. Examples of such papers are Christian Science Monitor, Tribune, International Herald
etc. They could also be metropolitan newspapers with international editions.
Special Newspapers: These are typically published by an organization, company, labour
union or group for their members. The content of the paper is usually devoted to matters that
concern only members or to the specialized interest of its readers. Thus, their circulation tends
to be relatively small. Also known as "house organ”.
Workshop or Training Newspapers: These are newspapers published by schools or
institutions of higher learning. Most two purposes: (i) as a departmental or campus
newspapers serve journalists and (ii) providing the campus or audience with news. The
treatment is highly professional because it is a teaching tool. An interesting newspaper
contains many different kinds of material. The majority of the items inform readers about
school activities or policies, Examples include: Unilag Sun, Poly Vanguard (Auchi
Polytechnic), Fecipo a Mirror.
Newspaper Format
Newspaper format refers to the dimensions form or size in which newspaper could appear in
the newsstand. Modern newspapers come in one of the following formats.
Tabloid Size: This category of newspapers forms the evolution of newspapers across the
globe. It is mostly found in developing countries. In Nigeria nearly 90 per cent of daily
newspapers are tabloid format. This form of newspaper is usually half of the size of the
broadsheet and approximately 12 x16 inches.
Characteristics of Tabloid Format
i. It contains between five to seven columns.
ii. Stories are usually short and sensationally displaced
iii. Relatively the paper is dominated by 1arge pictures and big headlines of 72 to 142
points.
iv. The size is usually half of the size of a broadsheet. Two tabloid pages are made up in
one blanket size.
v. Generally, the last two pages are devoted to sports news and pictures.
vi. Style of writing is usually very terse.
Standard Size: This form of newspaper is twice the size of tabloid. and approximately 14 x
22 inches. The standard size came into existence as a result of improvement in tabloid size.
Most of the development countries have their newspapers in standard size. Also called
broadsheet or blanket size.”
Characteristics of Blanket Size
i. The newspaper is voluminous.
ii. It is twice the size of the tabloid.
iii. Most of the stories are soft news.
iv. Its columns are usually 7-10 because of its size.
v. More pages are devoted to sports.
vi. Pictures are often large.
vii. More attention is focused on in-depth news stories.
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viii. The stories are longer and less sensational.
ix. They are more relaxed in their approach.
x. Most of the headlines are in multiple decks.
Berliner or Midi: The size of this newspaper is 181/2 by 121/2 inches. On-Line Only
Newspapers: This category of newspapers is only published on the Internet with no hard copy
format.
THE NATURE OF MAGAZINES
Introduction he emergence of magazines as another medium of communication was as a result
of improvement on newspapers and other print media. Unlike newspapers, magazines do not
emphasis currency of the event they report. They focus on interpretation and correlation of
past events in a wider perspective. This is because magazines have more time to carefully dig
into issues and situations than newspapers.
While newspapers have broad appeal, magazines are published for specific audience, that is,
people who share an interest in a particular subject such as women, men, fashion, sports, etc.
Hence knowledge of market is very important in setting up a magazine outfit. A magazine
stay may be very good, well researched and well written, but without focusing an audience or
market, it is bad and cannot b have published.
Magazines fall under the broad category publications called periodical. Periodical is a word
used to describe a magazine, journal, newspaper, newsletter or any other publication published
at regular intervals especially weekly, monthly or quarterly.
Magazines serve as a link between newspaper and books. Magazine by its natures satisfies
well the requirement for a medium of instructions and interpretation for the leisurely and
critical reader.
Magazine Defined
According to Esimokha (2008:106) "a magazine is a bound publication issued periodically
and containing general editorial matter such as news, sports, entertainment, pictures and
other features". Magazines are attractive and appealing because they are often printed in
colour and glossy paper. They are typically published weekly, hi-weekly, monthly or
quarterly, with a date on the cover that is in advance of the date it is actually published.
Theodore Peterson gives this vivid description of magazine:
"Although magazines lacked the immediacy of the broadcast media and the
newspaper, it nevertheless was timely enough to deal with the flow of events. It' s
timeliness and continuity set it apart from the book. As a continuing publication,
it could provide a form of discussion by carrying responses from its audience;
could sustain campaigns for indefinite periods and could work for circulation
rather than single impact; yet its available space and the reading habit of the
audience enables it to give fairly lengthy treatment to the subject it covers."
As stated earlier, most magazines published appeal to groups of people with special interests.
Aside from a few widely circulated general audience magazines, most magazines serve
readers interested in a particular profession, kind of work, hobby or recreational activity.
FUNCTIONS OF MAGAZINE
The function of any magazine depends on its type as well as its mission and philosophy.
Generally, magazines perform the following functions:
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i. In-depth Analysis: Magazines provide in-depth account and analysis of current events
in a way that newspapers cannot.
ii. Channel for Advertising: Magazines are the gloss and glitter of the print media. They
are noted for high reproduction quality and color production. For this reason, magazines
serve as and veritable medium for showcasing services. Most advertisement in
magazine are displayed ads.
iii. Provide Entertainment: By carrying puzzles, games, contests and sports, cartoons,
humor, jokes, comics, magazines serve as medium of entertainment, leisure, amusement
and relaxation for the readers.
iv. Provide Specialized Information: Magazines teach skills in different fields of human
endeavor. Magazine’s axe seen. by many people as inexpensive instructor for daily
living. They provide general knowledge that help people live their lives intelligently
and happily.
v. Serve as a Link between an Organization and Its Publics: Magazines enable
companies to exchange ideas and information with their various internal and external
publics. This function is of course the role of the house journal or organ.
vi. Provide Forum for Diverse Views: Magazines not only interpret issues and events but
also put them in national perspectives and awareness. By this function, the readers are
allowed to express their opinion on issues through letters-to-the-editor, opinion articles,
columns etc. Thus, magazines help arouse people to set in motion the forces that
eventually produce social change.
vii. Contribute to the Body of Knowledge: magazines contribute to the growth of the
body of knowledge making professionals and students the findings of current
researches, principles, principles, theories and ideas in their different fields. Basically,
professional and trade journals perform this function.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MAGAZINES
Generally, the following are the characteristics of magazines.
Periodicals: Magazines are not published every day. They are published at regular intervals
especially weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually etc. the frequency of magazine is determined
by the target audience or the vision of the publisher.
Production Quality: Magazines are published on high quality paper or stock such as art-
paper, matte and others. Because of their fine photographic reproduction and color separation,
they are referred to as the gloss and glitter of the print media.
Cover: Magazines cover pages are always in full process color separation on glossy paper or
card.
Back Cover: The back covers of magazines are devoted to advertisement or promotion of any
product. No news item.
Audience Segmentation: Though there are few general interest magazines, the bulk of
magazines in circulation are targeted at a specialized audience who share common
demographic and/ or psychographic characteristics. Hence, there are magazines for lawyers,
bankers, women, sports lovers, men, farmers, travelers etc.
Editorial: Unlike newspaper, which features the opinion of the organization, in magazine
most of the opinion of the organization have been thoroughly injected in all the news content.
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The only thing which seems to be editorial in the eyes of the public is not, it is purely a
summary of the inside pages called "Editors notes" or "Review page".
Advertisement Placement: Magazines contain a lot of advertisement. Nearly 80percent of
the advertisements are displayed advert with full color separation.
Longer Life Span: They are usually more durable and able to last for a long time. This is
because of the quality of materials used and the issues they address. It is not as transient as the
broadcast media, nor does it require attention at a given time, it is not as soon discarded as the
newspaper. Its issues remained in reader homes for weeks, months, sometimes years.
Imprints: This is put inside the pages. It contains names of all the staff of the organization.
Column: Magazines are mostly in two or three columns.
Binding/Folding: Unlike newspapers, magazines are folded and stitched or stapled because of
the size.
In-depth Reporting: Due to the fact that magazines focus attention on past events, they give
detailed and in-depth treatment to issues and events. The news items often in form of news
features or articles are investigative, analytical, interpretative and correlative. above.
Pagination: Magazine pages are usually between 22-60 pages or above.
Make up: Magazines use a variety of designs, typefaces, appealing layout, pictures graphics
and colors extensively to attract readers.

MAGAZINE FORMATS
Like newspapers, magazines also come in different sizes and shapes. Format refers to the
appearance of the magazine, especially its size and shape. There are three standard sizes in
which magazines can appear on the news stand.
Life-Size: This category of magazines Pages. It's approximately 10½ x 13 inches. Examples
include: Ovation, Brand faces, Global Excellence etc.
Time-Size: It measures 8½ x 11 inches. Examples are: Newswatch, Tell, The News etc. about
because of its small size.
Readers Diget-Size: Measure 5½ x 7½ inches. It can easily be carried about because of its
small size.
Online Magazines: These are magazines published on the Internet. They may be strictly
published online without hard copy or may be electronic versions of hard copy magazines.
Salon is an example of purely online magazine. Also known as webzine or e-zine.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF MAGAZINES
The three broad classifications of magazines are: Consumer, Professional and in house/
company magazines.
Consumer Magazines: Magazines in this category are targeted at the general public. They
are readily available at newsstands but it can also be sold by subscription. The primary
purpose of consumer magazines is the provision of information and entertainment
(infotainment).
Professional/Trade/Technical and Business Magazines: These are specialized interest
magazines (and journals) designed primarily for a segmented audience. Each specialized
magazine contains news interest to the particular readership that the magazine seeks to reach.
Or it may be for a cross section of persons who share the same kind of profession or ideology.
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This type of magazine is usually couched in a specialized language and fully understood by
members of the specialized group. Academic and professional journals, such as law, medicine,
journalism, accountancy, engineering, information technology etc. belong to the category of
specialized magazines. They are usually mailed to the target audience and sometimes
available at the newsstand. Examples are: Nigerian Medical Journal, NBA Journal, Pharma
News, etc.
Company/Industry Magazines: These are Ln-house publications of big companies targeted
either at the internal or external public for the exchange of information. Company magazines
are usually not less than 20 pages and well planned. Company publications such as
newsletters, brochures, booklets, manuals, books and calendar do not belong to this category
of magazines. Company publications may be targeted at shareholders, middlemen, customers,
share. Our world. (An Airtel Cellular Communication and Lifestyle quarterly) CANDOERS
(A quarterly Employee Publication of PZ Cussons PLC), NNPC Magazine etc.
Types of Magazines
From the three broad classes of magazines discussed above, the following types can be
identified.
General Interest or Mass Magazine: This is a consumer magazine that is focused primarily
at the masses. It has a pluralistic appeal (i.e., it appeals to the general public), e.g.,
Cosmopolitan, Ebony (America), Reality, Paragon International (Nigeria). Its nature of
masses orientation brings to it a very large circulation.
News Magazines: As its name indicates, news magazines exist to primarily present the most
relevant part of a news item and then give an insightful, depth and interpretation detail. They
also investigate g their readers the true picture of affair. Examples are: The News, Tell,
(Nigeria), Time, Newsweek (USA) etc.
Sports Magazine: The Primary subject matter of this is news and information on various
kinds of sports. e.g., Sports week, Complete Sports, Complete Football, Four Two (Nigerian)
African Soccer (British). Most of these magazines cover a variety of sports while the
specialized ones cover just one sport.
Opinion Magazines: These deals specifically with analysis of opinion expressing extreme
views that are usually combative. However, some opinion magazines are more liberal in their
approach to politics, economic and religion of some nations in the world e.g., Economist,
Spector, Private eye (British)
Men’s Magazine: they are primarily targeted at men e.g., GQ (USA) defunct Mr. Magazine,
Mode Men Magazine (Nigeria),
Women's Magazine: Just like the men's magazine, the women's magazine deal specifically
with the women folk. e.g., My Weekly, woman's Realm (British), Genevieve (Nigeria).
Gossip Magazines: This type of magazines carries gossips about celebrities and other
important personalities in the society e.g., FAME, Hint (Nigeria) People (USA)
Humor Magazines: These magazines are packaged to make people laugh. They are sources
of amusement to the readers e.g., Laffinattazz, tgif (Thank God It's Friday) Comedy (Nigeria)
etc.
Picture Magazine: Pictures form the major content of this type of magazine. e.g., Ovation,
City People Quarterly (Nigeria).
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Health Magazines: The primary subject matter is information on health-related matters, e.g.,
Healthy Eating, Cosmos Total Health, Community Doctor (Nigeria)
Fashion Magazine: Deals Specifically with information on fashion e.g., Elle, Vogue (USA),
Style Royale, Shile Plus, Fashion Paparazzi, Famous Fashion Collections, Fresh Designs
(Nigeria).
Sex Magazines: The content of this type of magazines evokes sexual urge in the reader. It.
contains pornographic pictures capable of eliciting erotic desire in the reader. Examples of sex
magazine in Nigeria are: Lolly Plus, Lovers, Bedmate, Climax of Love.
Bizarre Magazine: They present stories which in most cases appear incredible. Most of these
stories are about witchcraft and bizarre incidents. Examples include: Mystique and Triri Aye
(life experience).
Other types of magazines are: children's magazines, family Magazines, religious magazine,
intellectual magazines, youth magazines etc.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINES
Timeliness: Newspaper’s hinge what they report on recent or current events. They believe in
telling magazines interpret the news.
Frequency of Publication: Newspapers are published on a daily basis while magazines are
produced at interval: weekly, monthly or quarterly.
Illustration: Magazines generally make use of illustrations, graphics and pictures more than
newspapers.
Colour/Paper Quality: Magazine use more colour and a better grade of paper or stock than
newspapers which are usually printed on newsprint. The extent newspapers can go is colour
printing.
Audience: Newspapers are published for the general public where magazines could be written
for general as well as specific audience.
Style of Writing: Newspapers employ article format style while magazines are written in
informal and relaxed-style than news stories.
Layout: Magazines may use reverse plate (white or black) or use display type over the
illustration to display headlines or event text.
Use of White Space: Magazines breathe; they use air or white space to emphasize text and
illustrations more than newspapers.
Typography: Magazines vary typefaces to help d tone or pace of the story more than
newspapers.
Diction: Unlike magazine that may sometime use specialized language and terminologies,
newspaper use simple and easy to understand language.
Similarities between Newspaper and Magazines
 Both belong to the print aspect of journalism.
 Both newspapers and magazines can be bought at newsstand or by subscription.
 They perform the conventional functions of mass communication providing information,
education, entertainment and interpretation.
 They are both veritable tools of expressing opinion.
 They provide employment opportunities to the unemployed.

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 Both contain considerable amount of advertisement which constitutes a major source of
revenue for them.
 Lastly, both quote source(s) of information.
ORGANISATION OF NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE OUTFIT
Few readers realize the series of activities that must be performed before the newspaper is
produced. Many people even make the mistake of assuming that the reporter performs many
of these functions. The production of a newspaper is usually a team work involving a number
of highly skilled staff such as: printers, artists, advert executives, personnel managers,
accountants, circulation executives, photographers, editors, reporters, machine operators and
production personnel.
Except on small newspapers, the duties of newspaper/ magazine staffers are highly
specialized, structured and departmentalized.
Basic Departments and Divisions
The newspaper/ magazine establishment generally has two major divisions. They are: The
office and the shop. The office is the section which handles editorial functions. It deals with e
newspaper's contents such as: news, features, advertisements, cartoons, editorials, articles,
pictures, etc.
The shop, on the other hand, is the section that engages in the mechanical production of the
newspaper, e.g., lithography (film production, plate making, color separation), comptograph
and printing of the newspaper. The two major divisions above are further sub-divided into five
departments. They are:
i. The Editorial Department
ii. The Advertisement Department
iii. The Administration or Personnel Department
iv. The Circulation Department
v. The Mechanical or Production Department
The activities and functions of the five departments with -which newspapers/magazines
typically operate are discussed below:
The Editorial Department: This department is responsible for news gathering, news
processing and news packaging. They provide materials for publication, such as news stories,
feature stories, editorials, cartoons, photo news etc.
The editorial department is headed by the editor-in-chief. Sections under this department are:
the newsroom, the copy-desk/sub-desk, the library (the morgue), the features section, the
photo section, the editorial boardroom and proof readers' desk.
Structure of the Editorial Department As stated earlier, this department is responsible for
generating news stories and other editorial contents for newspapers or publications. The
functions and activities of principal officers who work in the various sub-sections in the
editorial department are discussed below:
Editor-In-Chief: He is the overall officer in charge of materials the editorial department and
gives final approval to all editorial materials to be published. He performs the following
functions:
 Supervises the production of the newspaper.
 Presides over editorial board meetings which editorial Policy of the newspaper.
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 Determines how much space can be assigned to each department.
 Responds to public complaints and encomium showered on the organization.
 Writes the editorial or ensures they are written.
 Decides what important stories are to be used and where they are to be placed.
 Carries out re-organization of the editorial department i.e. assigns and makes changes in
staff positions. May also evaluate the performance of staff members. This he does within
the ambit of the rules and regulations of the organization.
 Checks important stories. Approves the page layouts and page proofs.
The Managing Editor or Production Manager
 He takes decisions about the placement of major stories in the newspaper.
 In consultation with the editor-in-chief, he prepares the news room budget and takes most
of the editorial policy decision.
 Helps the editor-in-chief in all duties, serves as acting editor-in-chief when the editor-in-
chief is absent.
 Sets up the production schedule. Sees that all production steps are taken according to
schedule.
 Supervises the proof readers.
 Supervises the assembling and folding of papers.
 May receive stories from the sub desk to check for accuracy and form. May then distribute
them to the proper page editors.
 He hires the newsroom staff.
The News/City Editor
The news editor is one of the most important persons in the newspaper organization. An
active, intelligent and enterprising news editor is the vital spark which energizes the news
coverage and outlook of a newspaper. He is responsible for a steady and continuous inflow of
up-to-the-minute news into the newspaper office. He must keep himself abreast and informed
on every important development. He must have patience, human sympathy and courage. He
must possess the spirit of good companionship and be able to inspire confidence in his staff.
He must be a good mixer and possess a nose for news. His office requires practical
experience. His functions are:
 Supervises operations in the newsroom.
 Assigns reporters to beats, gives instruction on how events should be covered.
 Checks to see that all beats are covered regularly and changes assignment as needed.
 Keeps the future book i.e., he maintains a diary of coming events, like press conferences,
political events, court cases, sports, festivals and social ceremonies.
 Assigns all important stories to reporters.
 Checks news stories edited by the sub-editors and makes sure everything agrees with plan.
Sub Editor/ Copy Editor
These are professionals in charge of polishing and eliminating errors from copy before being
printed. In any news organization, whether in the print or electronic media they serve as
quality control manta ens. Basically, sub-editors check for errors of facts grammar, spelling
and other inaccuracies. As gate keepers in the news production and management chain,
whatever passes through the sub-editor's desks invariably gets published or broadcast, many m
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into libel problem because sub-editors are either careless or unable to cross-check copies
submitted by the news editor or are ignorant of the prevailing laws of the land.
The quality and credibility of a newspaper or broadcast medium rest on the skill, experience,
competence and knowledge of the sub- editor. include: The copy desk is headed by the Chief
sub-editor. His functions include:
 Reads and corrects the copy received from the reporters. He checks for spelling, grammar,
punctuation, accuracy, style and completeness.
 He adjusts story length to space required.
 He writes headlines.
 Delivers corrected copy to the editor.
 He makes story objective, fair and legally safe.
The Reporter
The reporter is a media professional who gathers news from the environment and usually
writes the news story for the print or broadcast media. He is the news room staff member with
whom the public is the most familiar and who indeed is the backbone of editorial operations.
His functions are:
 He covers assigned beats.
 Writes stories discovered on a beat or assigned by editors.
 Turns stories in to the copy desk. Rewrites or correct them if necessary.
The Editorial Page Editor
The primary function of the editorial page editor is the separation of facts from opinion in the
newspaper. He is in charge of producing the newspaper editorial page, now called the op-ed
page, the op-ed page contains the editorial cartoons, the opinion article or column, and letters
to the editor.
His functions are:
 He plans and prepares the layout of the editorial page.
 He attends editorial board meetings and writes editorial comments.
 The subject or issue for an editorial.
 He attends editorial board meetings and writes and edits editorials on the topic collectively
chosen by the editorial board members.
STARTING A NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE OUTFIT
Establishing a successful newspaper/magazine outfit requires a lot initial background work.
For whatever reasons the publication exists (i.e to make profit, propagate ideas, the public
relations or advance a cause), there are some initial steps that must be carefully considered if
the business is to flourish.
A naeto (2009), the following steps must be taken before a newspaper/magazine can be
established. They are:
 Carrying out feasibility study;
 Name an registration of the newspaper/magazine;
 Determining the mission and philosophy of the newspaper/magazine;
 Constituting the editorial board.
 Drafting the editorial policy of the newspaper/magazine;
 Securing funds of the newspaper/magazine;
12
  Establishing a befitting and strategically located office;
 Staff recruitment, and
 Procuring equipment.
1. Feasibility Study: A feasibility study is an investigation into a proposed plan or
project to determine whether and how It can be successfully and profitably carried out.
A feasibility study may examine the alternative methods of reaching objective or be
used to define or redefine the proposed project. The information gathered must be
sufficient to make a decision on whether to go ahead with the project or enable an
investor to decide whether to commit his finances to it. This will normally require
analysis of technical, financial and market issues, including an estimate of resources
required in terms of materials, time, personnel and finances, and the expected return on
investment. The feasibility study will enable the prospective newspaper/magazine
publisher to know his target audience. The result of the market research helps in the
determination of the publications personality, determination of human and material
resources needed, determination of capital required, the strengths and weakness of
competitors. This influences the formulation of the publication editorial policy.
According to Ifeachukwu (1982) cited in Aneato (20029), a feasibility study has the
following parts.
 The product;
 The market for the profit;
 The management team;
 The production process and production plan;
 The marketing plan;
 Manpower requirement;
 Estimated capital expenditure;
 Cash budget;
 Projected incomes statement;
 Projected balance sheet; and
 Profitability analysis.
Explanatory notes on the listed items.
The product: Under this point, the intending proprietor has to determine the nature of the
publication. He has to determine the format i.e is the paper going to be tabloid or blanket? Is
the magazine going to be time size, life size or reader’s digest? What will the arrangement of
text and illustration be like? What will the arrangement of text and illustration be like? He has
to determine the formula of the publication. Formula here, refers to the content ratio or
mixture of content of a newspaper or magazine i.e. what stories and areas will the paper
cover? Is it going to cover sports, local stories, education, law, health, religion economy etc?
is it going to be local, national or international newspaper or magazine? Will the
newspaper/magazine be printed in black and white, full colour or spotcolour?
The market for the product: IN looking at the market, the proprietor must determine the
target audience and the competition. The market or audience research is basically finding out
your target audience. Who am I producing the newspaper/magazine for? What is the average

13
of target audience? Where do they work? What sex are most of readers? What is their income
level? Etc.
You must also look at the competitors. Are there any newspaper or magazine currently doing
what mine intends to do? What are the strength and weakness o my competitors? What gap
can I fill when I come to this market? How can my public survive, you must find a gap fill. In
other words, it must provide something that is needed which the others are not offering, and at
an affordable price.
The management Team: Here the proprietor has to determine those who will be in charge of
the human and material resources. This includes job specification, qualification and
experience of those to be recruited into the publication. The success or otherwise of any
newspaper/magazine outfit realizing its set objectives depend on the caliber of its management
team. Who will b the editor in chief, the managing editor, the advert manager, etc? who are
those to head the various departments: production editorial, administration, and marketing?
The Production and Production Plan: After determining those who will manage the affairs
of the publication, the next thing is to describe how the newspaper/magazine will be produced.
What issues will the publication treat from edition to edition? What are the sources of
information? How will materials be generated? (news, feature, advert) are your sources
capable of providing you information on continuous basis? He needs to also state production
cost, manpower and working hours to ensure a hitch free operation.
The Market Plan: This aspect of the feasibility study I concerned with the determination of
marketing, strategies i.e advertising, and promotional strategies, effective distribution and
circulation network etc. to enable the publication get the desired market share.
Manpower Capital Expenditure: Refers to an outlay of money, especially on fixed sets,
such as plant and machineries, furniture and office equipment. The proprietor must determine
how much will be needed to produce the equipment.
Estimated Working Capital: Apart from clearly stating, how much will be needed for the
capital expenditure, he has to give a complete breakdown of all the anticipated expenditure
over a period of time before the expected returns on his investment e.g rent, utilities,
consumable such as printing materials, photographs, etc. He also needs to state the source of
cash required for this expenditure.
Cash Budget: This refers to the cash payment and cash receipts. The cash budget enables the
proprietor to manage the cash that flows in. deduction of the total cash receipt enables the
proprietor to get the cash balance.
Projected Income Statement: Income refers to money received from investment. Therefore,
the income statement is a summary of the operating cost and shows the profit or loss. The net
profit is gross profit minus cost. It is the returns generated by the business. If the profit is
below the desired level, the prospective publisher needs to have a rethink before venturing
into the business.
Projected Balance Sheet: This is financial report stating the total assets, liabilities and
owners equity of an organization at a given date, usually the last day of the accounting period.
The debit side of the balance sheet state assets, while the credit states liability and the two
sides must be balance. Here, the proprietor states the assets and the liabilities and the two

14
 sides must be balance. Here, the proprietor states the assets and the liabilities of the
publication.
Profitability Analysis and Evaluation of the project: At this final stage of the feasibility
study, he determines when to start expecting returns on the investment. This is followed by an
evaluation to determine whether to go on with it, modify it, or throw away the idea of the
project.
2. Name and Registration of the Newspaper/Magazine: Regardless of the reason for its
existence, a major requirement before a newspaper/magazine can go onto operation is
registration. In Nigeria, newspapers are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and
the Newspaper Registration Board. Newspaper and magazine can be registered in the
following forms: as a one-man business partnership, joint venture, or limited liability
company.
One of the crucial decisions the proprietor needs to make is choosing name for the
publication. Choosing a benefitting name will attract readers to the publication. The name
should be short and easy to pronounce. The name is just an identification mark, it also
captures the vision, mission and philosophy of its publishers, as well as the circumstances
that led to its establishment. Thus, the name must be unique so that it is not confused with
existing titles.
3. Mission/Philosophy of the Newspaper/Magazine: A mission statement of an
organization is a short memorable statement of the reason for the existence of an organization.
The mission or philosophy helps to market the newspaper/magazine and what it stands for.
The mission statement also known as the corporate statement must answer the following
questions: What is our purpose? What are our beliefs, values and proprietors? Who are our
target audience? What is unique about our establishment? A newspaper/magazine mission and
philosophy therefore provide an easy guide to judging it. The mission and philosophy of the
newspaper/magazine may be stated either on its nameplate or on the masthead.
Mission statement varies from one newspaper/magazine outfit to another.
The Sun Mission: “To practice journalism in the classic tabloid newspaper tradition of
presenting the news and features in an exciting style, with impact, objectivity and
appeal that generate returns to all stakeholders; the society, the investors and the
practitioners.”
4. Constituting the Editorial Board: These are people who determine their
newspaper/magazine editorial position on debatable issues, they may also review materials
before publication. Such a board is usually composed of professionals drawn from within and
outside the newspaper/magazine outfit. The board also formulates and reviews the editorial
policy of the newspaper/magazine from time to time. The board meets once a week and topics
are assigned to members to write on.
5. Drafting the Editorial Policy: Editorial policy is a kind of blue print in a
paper/magazine that indicates the boundary within which individuals’ issues are built. It
guides the organization operations. Generally, the editorial policy sets the purpose of the
paper/magazine, determines the character and overall slant, defines the nature of the content
by which the purpose is to be achieved, indicates the special mood or time, number of pages
and frequency of publication etc.
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 6. Securing Funds for the Newspaper/Magazine: With the editorial policy put in place,
another important factor to consider in establishing a newspaper/magazine outfit is capital.
Capital is the money that can be invested by an individual or organization in order to make
profit. Money is needed not only for the take off but also for the smooth running of the
venture. Some sources of finance for setting a newspaper/magazine outfit are: personal
savings, loan, contribution from partners and subvention from government (for government
owned newspaper/magazine).
7. Getting a Befitting and Strategically Located Office: Staff and equipment of a
newspaper/magazine organization need office accommodation. This may be thought or rented
by the publisher.
In addition, the publication’s office should be strategically located to enhance their operations
and accessibility.
8. Staff Recruitment: The success or otherwise of any newspaper/magazine in achieving
its set objectives depends to a large extent, on the caliber of the personnel. A crop of highly
qualified and well-trained personnel is needed to produce newspaper/magazine that can meet
the tastes of today’s increasingly sophisticated readers. The caliber and number of staff
needed to publish a newspaper/magazine of acceptable quality depends on the following
factors the size of publication, the kind of publication, and the kind of ownership.
9. Procuring Equipment: Procurement of the needed equipment is essential to the
smooth operation of every enterprise. The publisher may set up his printing press if he has the
needed fund or enter into a contract with an existing press for the printing of
newspaper/magazine.
FINANCING NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE OUTGITS
Newspapers and magazine face the problem of any business enterprise: finding the money
not only to begin operations but to continue them until the business starts yielding profit.
There is no capsule advice or sure formula for financing the print media outfit. Publications
started as a shoestring and have flourished while others which lack considerable funds have
failed. Thus, proper planning and good feasibility study are necessary before starting
newspaper/magazine outfit.
Sources of Funds for Print Media Outfits
Newspapers/magazines outfit can be financed through one or a combination of the several
ways presented below;
Personal Savings: Here, the proprietor or publisher use hi past savings to finance and
operate the business.
Bank Loan: newspaper/magazines can be also obtained loan from banks and other financial
houses to finance its operations.
Advertisement (ads): Sales of newspaper/magazine space to interested individuals and
corporate bodies constitutes one of the major sources of income to print media outfits. No
newspaper/magazine outfits succeed in the absence of ads. Advertising revenue can be
generated through the following forms:
 Displayed Ads: These are also ads that include cop, photographs, illustration and other
visual elements. Nearly 80 per cent of newspaper/magazine ads are displayed.

16
  Classified Ads: These are advertisement placed in newspaper/magazine under specific
category or the need the advert seeks to satisfy. Rates are based on the number of lines the
advert occupies. For example, change of name, vacancies etc.
 Supplements and Special Projects: Here the newspaper/magazine does a special focus on
interested organizations. These organizations in turn place their advertisement in the
newspaper/magazine. Special focus can be on government agencies, companies, non-
governmental organizations etc. it is a veritable source of income for newspaper/magazines.
Circulation: Sales of the copies of the newspaper/magazine is another option available for print
media outfit to generate funds.
Commercial Printing Service: Here, the newspaper/magazine outfit undertakes printing jobs
for interested clients such as printing calendars, diaries, brochures, posters, handbills and
many other printing jobs.
Investment: Another method of financing a print media house is through investment. Modern
newspaper/magazine outfits usually diversify their business interest. Today,
newspapers/magazines buy shares in other companies; operate commercial transport business
real estate, etc. All these are done to complement the financial standing of the
newspaper/magazines outfit.
Sales Promotion: Newspaper/magazine use sales promotion to attract attention to its product
and to increase its sales. During the period of the promotion, the publication may be offered at
reduced price, readers can also win gift though raffle draws, etc. They can also organize
seminars, symposia and exhibition of new products.
Sales of Shares: Newspaper and magazine outfits quoted on the stock exchange can raise fund
by offering shares to the public for subscription. DAAR Communication, owners of African
Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower 100.5 radio adopted this method in 2008 to raise
money from the capital market.
Donation from Corporate Bodies and Individuals: Sometimes, media organizations hold
events to raise funds for their operations. During such events, invited individuals and
corporate organization donate to print media outfits. Examples of such events are: award
ceremonies, dinner parties, book launch, fund raising ceremonies, etc.
Problems in the Print Media Industry
 Poor states of the Nigeria’s economy;
 Increasing cost of production;
 Inadequate advert support;
 Low literacy level and poverty;
 Circulation/distribution difficulties;
 Lack of modern communication facilities;
 Poor patronage of newspaper and magazines;
 Competition from other newspaper/magazines;
 Emergence of new communication technologies;
 Oppressive press laws and political repression;
 Poor salary and incentives;
 Financial constraints;
PRODUCING THE NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE
17
The reader visits the newsstand to buy a newspaper/magazine or the subscriber receives a neat
little package, a newspaper/magazine on his doorstep. Few readers realize the number of
highly skilled persons who helped in the production of the newspaper/magazine.
The process of producing a newspaper/magazine proceeds through some successive stages.
This means that it moves from one stage to another. Any attempt to by-pass any of the stages
can disrupt the production process. The watch word team spirit to achieve the set goals of the
organization.
Print production process is the systematic process a layout for newspaper/magazine goes
though from concept to final printing. It is a chain or stage by stage process.
The steps involved in the production of newspaper/magazine are as follows:
 Gathering the News;
 Editing the News;
 Typesetting/Composition/Proofreading;
 Make up/Design;
 Lithography: Filming and Plating;
 Printing;
 Packaging and circulation;
Gathering the News: News gathering is the process of collecting news and other information
for the production of newspapers/magazines. Editorial meeting is the starting point of
newspaper/magazine production. At the meeting, ideas re generated on politics, economy,
education, health, sports, etc and beats are assigned to reporters’ beats are assigned to
reporters. A beat is a particular territory or subject assigned to a reporter and he is responsible
for reporting any newsworthy information that develops on that beat. The
newspaper/magazine outfits do not depend on beats alone. The newspaper/magazine outfits do
not depend on beats alone. Other methods of newsgathering include: news conferences;
documents, news agencies/wire services, interviews, correspondents. A correspondent is a
reporter who works for a news organization in another town, state of country. He/she files
copy by wireless, fax, telephone, or e-mail. When all materials on recent or current happening
are gathered and written, it is then sent to the sub desk or copydesk for editing.
Editing the News: Editing is the process correcting, improving a copy to make it suitable for
publication. The copy editor/sub editor refines, polishes and corrects a copy. It is here at the
clearing house (copy desk) that much of the fine-tuning of the story is done. The copy editor
checks the copy for errors of grammar, spelling, syntax, punctuation, semantics, erroneous
details and style usage. He also writes headline, ensures accurate space management and that
the copy is legally safe.
When the stories are edited, headlined written, stories dummied in, the materials then move
from the sub desk to the comp graphic section which is the next stage in the production
process.
Typesetting/Composition/Proofreading: Typesetting is the process of arranging type for
printing. Before a compositor/typesetter can set a single line of type, at least ten basic points
of information must be supplied. They are:
 Type size (expressed in point).
 Type family (Time New Roman, Tahoma, Aerial black, Bodoni, Go this etc).
18
  Family branch (bold, condensed, extended light).
 Letter posture (Italic or roman).
 Leading (headed 2pts).
 Line length (expressed n picas/columns).
 Appointment of space (flush, centred).
 Word spacing (normal word spacing).
 Letter spacing (normal letter spacing).
The reader visits the newsstand to buy a newspaper/magazine or the subscriber receives a neat
little package, a newspaper/magazine on his doorstep. Few readers realize the number of
highly skilled persons who helped in the production of the newspaper/magazine.
The process of producing a newspaper/magazine proceeds through some successive stages.
This means that it moves from one stage to another. Any attempt to by-pass any of the stages
can disrupt the production process. The watch word is team spirit to achieve the set goals of
the organization.
Print production process is the systematic process a layout for newspaper/magazine goes
through from concept to final printing. It is a chain or stage by stage process.
The steps involved in the production of newspaper/magazine are as follows:
 Gathering the News;
 Editing the News;
 Typesetting/Composition/Proofreading;
 Make up/Design;
 Lithography: Filming and Plating;
 Printing;
 Packaging and circulation;
Gathering the News: Newsgathering is the process of collecting news and other information
for the production of newspapers/magazines. Editorial meeting is the starting point of
newspaper/magazine production. At the meeting, ideas are generated on politics, economy,
education, health, sports, etc and beats are assigned to reporter and he is responsible for
reporting any newsworthy information that develops on it. The newspaper/magazine outfits do
not depend on beats alone. Other methods of newsgathering include: news conference
documents, news agencies/wire services, interviews, correspondents. A correspondent is a
reporter who works for a news organization in another town, state or country. He/she files
copy by wireless, fax, telephone, or email. When all materials on recent or current happenings
are gathered and written, it is then sent to the sub desk or copy copydesk for editing.
Editing the News: Editing is the process correcting, improving a copy to make it suitable for
publication. The copy editor/sub editor refines, polishes and corrects a copy. It is here at the
clearing house (copy desk) that much of the fine-tuning of the story is done. The copy editor
checks the copy for errors of grammar, spelling, syntax, punctuation, semantics, erroneous
details and style usage. He also writes headline, ensures accurate space management and that
the copy is legally safe.
When the stories are edited, headlined written, stories dummied in, the materials then move
from the sub desk to the comp graphic section which is the next stage in the production
process.
19
Typesetting/Composition/Proofreading: Typesetting is the process of arranging type for
printing. Before a compositor/typesetter can set a single line of type, at least ten basic points
of information must be supplied. They are:
 Type size (expressed in point).
 Type family (Time New Roman, Tahoma, Aerial black, Bodoni, Gothis etc).
 Family branch (bold, condensed, extended light).
 Letter posture (Italic or roman).
 Leading (headed 2pts).
 Line length (expressed n picas/columns).
 Appointment of space (flush, centered).
 Word spacing (normal word spacing).
 Letter spacing (normal letter spacing).
The methods of typesetting/composition are discussed below.
Hand Typesetting: In this method after the writer has finished the copy, edited it and marked
it with typesetting instructions, he sends it to the type compositor who will pick out the tape
faces and arrange them as expressly instructed by the editor. Ink is then put on it to make the
proof. This process is a very slow on and also cumbersome. It is the oldest method of
typesetting.
Photo Typesetting/Film Setting: A wedding of photograph and computer technology give
birth to this method. This method made it possible to set type by exposing one character after
another on photographic paper or film at incredible speeds.
Computer Typesetting: This is the use of computer to typeset the stories in the comp graphic
section. The use of computers has made the production of newspaper/magazine easier and
faster as copies can be edited, proofread and designed on the computer.
Mechanical Typesetting: This method involves the use of machine in typesetting. The
linotype and monotype are the most often used machines. While the linotype is used for body
type composition, the monotype is used for high quality letter type printing.
Proofreading: After the typesetting, the proof is sent to the proofreading section. The
proofreaders check the proof to ensure that it tallies with the edited manuscript.
Errors and omission detected by the proofreaders are then corrected and another proof is sent
back to the proofreader to check whether the necessary corrections have been affected. This
process continues until the copy is completely error free.
The clean copy, pictures and dummy (layout) are then passed to the page planner for makeup
and design.
Make up/Design of Pages
Make up is the layout and designing of the newspaper and magazine pages. It involves the
arrangement of different elements on the page and the relationship to each other. This make
up elements are headlines, sub heads, body text, pictures, illustrations, colour, cutline’s,
graphics, adverts.
It is done to make the content easy to read and to make the newspaper/magazine visually
appealing.
After making up the page, the artwork of the whole page is again sent to the proofreader for
checking.
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As soon as the proofreader endorses the artwork, it is then forwarded to the editor, production
editor and the chief copy editor for final endorsement. The artwork is said to be camera ready
when all the typeset and composed pages are forwarded to the camera section are by one until
they are all in.
Lithography: This stage of newspaper/magazine production involves filming (making the
negatives) and plate making.
Making Negative: Here, the camera-ready artwork is filmed (i.e converted into a negative).
Unlike the old process of making negative which involved retouching by opaque chemicals to
remove ugly spots, today the process of making the film and plate has been simplified with the
use of improved technology. We now have:
 From computer to film, film to plate and plate to printing machine.
 From computer to plate (CTP), plate to printing machine. This technology has allowed
printers to by-pass he film portion of the process entirely. CTP images the dots directly
on the printing plate with a laser, saving money, increasing quality (by reducing the
repeated generations), reducing lead-times and saving the repeated the environment
from toxic films processing chemicals.
 From computer to printing machine: The planned pages are sent to the printing
machines directly and the newspaper/magazine will roll out to be arranged. This is the
method used by most big newspaper and magazine outfits.
These new technologies and machines not only reduce the time in the old process, but also
ensure a much better quality of the negative and, subsequently the finished product.
Plate Making: At this unit of the lithographic section, the developed negatives is converted to
a plate using plate making machine. The plate can also be made or burnt using the old
photographic process or using modern technology such as: from computer to plate machine
(CTP) to printing. But if you are using the photographic process, the exposed plate is washed
with ome chemicals, dried and transfer to the printing press for printing.
Printing: From the plate making unit, the next stage is to go into the production proper to
meet up with deadline and competition from other newspapers and magazines in circulation.
Here, the burnt plates are fixed to machines for printing. Printing is the process of producing
newspaper/magazine in large quantity.
The printing process involves placing the printing plate on a printing press and inked with the
proper colour, the printing plate transfers the images it carries to the printing surface and
pages are rolled out.
There are a number of different printing processes. The selection of the method best suited to
a job is determined by some factors.
Papers Folding, Binding and Finishing: Even after the newspaper/magazine has passed
through a printing press, production is still not complete. The publication has to be collated
and packaged. Final processing requires folding large single sheets into separate pieces and
trimmed on three sides as they will be seen by the reader.
Much of the web printing (printing from rolls of paper) involves at least in part, folding and
binding, and finishing in the press. They are then package in bundles and distributed. This is
particularly true in the case of newspapers, magazines, and books.

21
Circulation of the Finished Newspaper/Magazine: The circulation department headed by
the circulation manager is in charge of this section. He arranges through his supervisors,
circulation clerks and agents in various parts of the country or area of coverage for the
newspaper/magazine to be delivered. Mostly, vans are used to convey the publication to
different destinations.
Finally, if the circulation is properly done, the newspaper/magazine hits the newsstand and
subsequently the hand of the final reader in its accurate and finished form from the forging,
the print production process can be broadly categorized into two major phases: The pre-press
and production.
The pre-press: The pre-press refers to all the production processes which include sub editing,
typesetting, proofreading, page making, filming and plating. All these activities take place
before the actual printing.
Production (Printing): The production or printing phase deals with the actual printing
collation and packaging of the newspaper/magazine.
NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE PRINTING TECHNOLOGY
Printing is the mechanical process for reproducing copies of text and images typically with ink
on paper using a printing press. It is the process of producing newspapers and magazines in
large quantity for wide circulation. Printing is one of the areas in newspaper and magazines
productions that have continued to experience tremendous development.
There are different printing methods for the reproduction of newspapers and magazines. They
are:
 Letterpress;
 Offset Lithography;
 Gravure/intaglio; and
 The stencil processes
Letterpress: This is also called relief press method. It is the oldest technique of printing. This
is application of ink on composed letter or type which in turn is impressed on the paper. It is a
direct printing process from a raised surface.
Types of Letterpress
There are four types of letterpress printing machines. They are:
 The plate machines
 The flat-bed cylinder machine
 The flat-bed-two-revolution machine.
 The rotary machine which could be as well be sheet fed rotary, letterpress, web-
perfecting rotary letterpress.

Advantages of Letterpress Method

 It is cheap to establish and run.
 It does not require electricity.
 It can print on all kinds of paper.
 Mistakes can be amended after typesetting.
 It makes printing of blocks and type easy.
 It can print jobs of few and many copies particularly newspapers/magazines
22
  It is capable of printing from both manually set type and mechanically set type.
Disadvantages
 It is manually operated which makes production low.
 It requires the services of several labour.
 It can only produce very few copies at a time.
 Production of clear picture particularly on cheap paper may be difficult to produce.
 It requires costly procedures like hot type, make read, special plate for illustrations and
expensive paper for good reproduction of illustration.
 It is very rough because of the pressure of the paper during printing.
Offset/Lithography: Unlike letter press, printing is done in litho from a flat stone, metal or
plate. After the page has been assembled, a photograph is taken and the negative are placed
over a light sensitive printed plate and the light is exposed through the open spaces of the plate
is soaked away. The printed plane is soaked with water and then with ink. The inked letters
are then printed on a rubber blanket which is turn on paper. The lithographic method relies on
the principle that grease and water do not meet.
The method is carried out by a variety of offset presses in combination with the lithographic
processes of filming and plate making, hence the name offset, lithography.
Advantages of Lithographic Method
 It is planographic in nature. In other words, it makes use of flat surface plate.
 The plate is very cheap and easy to produce.
 Printing can be done at a very high speed.
 It is very quick in a production.
 High speed printing is achieved.
 It is a method of using a photographical style in putting images on the press plate.
 It saves time. Set up time does not take long before the work is done.
 Apart from newspaper/magazines, it is capable of printing on various surface like
cloths, plastic nylon bag etc.
 The higher the number of newspaper/magazines produced, the lower the unit cost.
 It allows for extensive use of illustration.
 Printing of illustration is done at the same cost as the printing of written character.
 Useful in production of pictures
 It is the most popular method of printing.
Disadvantages
 It is expensive to establish and maintain (high initial cost).
 It requires close monitoring by the operator to ensure that water and ink do not fluctuate
unnecessarily.
 It is impossible to make corrections once the plate has been made or burnt.
 The machine needs constant maintenance to continue in operation.
 It requires a highly skilled labour to operate.
 It requires caution in the selection of the correct paper so as to yield desired quality of
production.
Gravure Printing Method: This method also known as Intaglio. It is the process of printing
from ink-filled depressions. Here, the characters and illustrations are engraved on a metal
23
 plate and then ink is applied to the plate. After removing excessive ink from the plate, printing
is done by impressing the plate against the paper as opposed to relief method in letterpress.
Advantages of Gravure Method
 T has the ability to print on any material or stock.
 It has the capacity to produce at high speed.
 It can print quality colour on relatively cheap paper.
 Well planned artistic works can be reproduced with high level of perfection.
 It can print quality colour without loosing value and quality.
 It is particularly used in the production of picture for special sections.
 It can produce millions of copies without loosing quality.
Disadvantages of Gravure Printing Method
 The initial cost of buying printing plates is very expensive.
 It is expensive for fewer copies in a production. Thus, the fewer the copies, the higher
the cost of production and vice versa.
 When compared with the current technology, its production is less appealing.
 Major corrections on the press may prove to be highly expensive.
The Stencil Process
It is a stencil process in which ink is forced through a screen onto various kinds of printing
stock or surface. The stencil has openings or holes showing the image area. The stencil is
inked to print the image.
Choosing a Printing Method
Having discussed the merits and demerits of widely used printing processes, so how do you go
about deciding which printing process to use?
Making a selection may seem somehow what difficult but in most cases the following factors
will be taken into consideration, they are:
 The method of printing the newspaper/magazine. Is it a letterpress, lithographic, gravure etc?
 Paper quality. This refers to the type of paper or material to print on.
 Use of photographs/illustrations and colour.
 Number of copies to be produced (quantity).
 Frequency of publication. Date of issues.
 Size of type. Production of display and heading material. A rough dummy showing
presentation of typical pages should accompany the inquiry.
 Preparation of illustration. (are blocks or plates to be included in the estimate or quoted as an
extra?)
 The size and number of pages of the newspaper or magazine.
 Binding. (stapled, drawn-on, cover, or loose an in a newspaper)
 Deadline to meet.
 Where and how the finished publication will be delivered
MAKE UP AND DESIGN OF NEWSPAPERS/MAGAZINES
Make up is the process of designing a newspaper or magazine through careful selection and
arrangement of headlines, stories, pictures and other elements to make a unified and attractive
whole. In other words, it is the layout and arrangement of editorial material on a newspaper or
magazine page.
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The appearance of today’s newspaper now emphasizes the idea of packaging the news. Good
design not only packages and visualizes news but also reflect the personality of a newspaper.
Factors that Influenced Modern Make up
 Competition from other media, particularly television, film, video, the internet etc.
 Improvement in printing technology opened up new possibilities for creativity and innovation.
 Availability of human resources due to increase in mass communication and journalism
training institutions.
 Growth of literacy and the need to meet sophisticated taste of today’s readers.
 Competition from other print media i.e. magazines, newspapers, and books.
Reasons for Makeup and Design
 To draw the reader’s attention to the kind of material contained in a paper.
 To show, through placement, the relative importance of stories and photographs in the
newspaper or magazine.
 To show the relationship of stories to each other. Related material is placed together. Pages
are almost always departmentalized with a general heading, such as News, Entertainment or
feature, Boxes, lines and other typographical devices tie together related items on each page.
 To help a reader determine which stories will be read first or at all.
 To identify the newspaper as different and apart from its competitors i..e. to give the paper a
distinct personality.
 To achieve variety and an artistic appearance thereby relieving monotomy.
 Giving an orderly, meaningful pattern to the presentation of the day’s news.
 Making the paper attractive to the reader an inviting package.
PRINCIPLES OF MAKEUP AND DESIGN
The basic elements the editor works with in making decision about makeup are: headlines,
body type, display type, pictures, captions, white space, name plate, folio, colour, illustrations,
typographical devices, quotes, adverts, bullets, imprint, sub-heads, etc.
The copy editor must carefully arrange these elements with attention to these five principles:
balance, contrast, proportion, unity and rhythm.
Balance: This is the arrangement of items on a rectangular paper by the copy editor so that
stories and picture on one part of the page balance as evenly as possible with similar material
in the opposite part, up to bottom, left to right, diagonal e.g A banner headline at the top of the
page can be counter balanced at the bottom with another bold headline or picture.
Contrast: This principle involves the use of varied style and size of type to make each story
stand out according to its importance. One may be a light headline contrasting with a bold
headline, a small picture contrasting with a big one contrast therefore, is a means of
preventing monotony and make a page lively and interesting.
The following are the contrast elements at the copy editor’s disposal type size, type design,
white space, line art, etc.
Proportion: This refers to the relationship that exists between elements on the page. In
newspaper design, the length of one line may be compared with the length of another or the
shape of one story with shape editor is to create pages in which the proportions of elements
are pleasing to the eye.

25
In newspaper and magazine makeup, pictures and illustrations that are rectangular are mostly
used that those with square shapes.
The elegance of rectangular shapes over square informs the popularity and adoption 5x7 size
photographs.
Unity/Harmony: This principle emphasized that the different elements on a page when
viewed as a whole should create a single impression rather that multiple impressions. Content
must unify with type face and type size. Ideally, all type faces on page come from the same
family. Most if not all Nigerian newspapers and magazines have adopted a single version of a
single family of display type. A unified page is one that ensures that everything is in correct
position. The copy editor may have to shift some stories round the dummy until a satisfactory
arrangement is found.
Rhythm: This principle concerns the eye movement of the reader from the left to the right
and from the top to the bottom. The reader tends to move from big items to small ones, from
colour to non-colour. Rhythm is achieved through orderly repetition of elements which
includes line, shape, tone and texture.
Use of vertical or horizontal lines and numbering can also lead the reader from one item to the
other in the desired patter.
TYPES OF MAKEUP
Vertical Makeup: This is the oldest layout style. It involves a long story extending down a
single column to the bottom. The total story package starts at the top of a page with two or
three columns of headlines, lead and photo and then narrowing to a single column.
The effect of this design is to lead a reader’s eye down the page in a vertical manner. One
disadvantages of this type of layout is that it leads to monotony.
Horizontal Makeup: This is the exact opposite of vertical makeup. This makeup style uses
large headlines, illustrations and stories extending across two or more columns creating an
overall horizontal outlook for the magazine or newspaper page. The horizontal makeup is used
in order to break the monotony of vertical layout. The horizontal design is the clear trend
among newspapers today.
Circus: As the name suggests, this makeup lacks any definite organization. This is the
makeup style in which several big headlines are used on a page. This type of makeup is not
only difficult to plan; it also leads to a situation whereby the lead story has to compete for
attention with other headlines.
Focus/Brace: Unlike the circus makeup, in the focus makeup an extremely large headline
dominates the entire page in such a way as to focus attention on the headline which is the
day’s major story. The main headline is usually supported by smaller headlines.
Quadrant Makeup: This quadrant style of makeup envisages the page as four separate
sections requiring equal attention. The emphasis of this kind of layout is that every part of the
newspaper is important.
Modular Makeup: This design places story packages in clean rectangular spaces either
horizontal or vertical usually separated from other elements by generous white space.
Magazine Style Makeup: As the name implies, this is the adoption of magazine style in
newspaper designs. This is however made possible by the advent of computer technology in

26
newspaper designs. This style which was regarded as the executive preserve of magazine has
become a common style in newspaper designs especially, weekend editions.
TYPOGRAPHY AND GRAHIC ART IN NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE
Understanding Typography and Graphic Art
The final major aspect of design is made up of the actual devices that appear on printed page.
These elements include such things as type, borders, boxes, charts, maps, graphs and other
artistic designs.
Understanding Typography
Topography is the art of selecting, setting and arranging type. A specialist who understands
the art of selecting and blending typefaces, or using the right typefaces for different kinds of
paper is called typographer. A type is a letter used in printing. Typeface is that portion of type
printed on a paper.
Typesetting is the process of arranging type for printing while a typesetter is the person or
machine that sets type to produce printed image.
The words typography and graphics are generally interchangeable in a broad sense. Since type
is the major vehicle of expression of ideas in the print media, knowledge of type by the page
maker/editor is a necessity. Thus, a thorough understanding of different type, their distinct
characteristics will enable the journalist to communicate effectively.
Purpose of Topography
 Typographical devices enhance verbal content.
 They also communicate directly through their own visual content.
 They attract the reader’s attention.
 They add to a publication’s visual appeal.
Typographical devices that do not represent one of the above purposes represents poor design.
Type and Type Families
A type family includes a number of styles for the letters of the alphabet all based on the same
original design. A family might include for example, roman type (“normal” letter), italics,
boldface type, lightface type, condensed type, and expanded type.
Each of these styles or typefaces comes in several sizes.
Serif and San Serif Style
When choosing a typeface for your newspaper/magazine, you will also need to understand the
distinction between serif and san serif styles. Serif is the little lines projecting from the ends of
letters. The text you are reading right now is printed in serif style. San’s serif styles have no
little lines added.
Serif: T S R, Sans Serif: TSR
Serif is often seen as the more readable type for text type, or body type. San’s serif is useful
headlines, caption and such things as box scores.
While hundreds of typefaces are available, only a few of them are suitable for
newspaper/magazine pages aside from advertisement and other special applications. Roy Paul
Nelson, in his book “Publication Design” lists a number of those that are particularly suitable
for newspaper/magazines; Basker Ville, Bodoni, Caslon, Clarendon, Garamond, Helvetica and
Time Roman.
Typographical and Graphical Devices
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Discussed below are some typographical and graphics arts devices that are concerned with
adding visual impact through special type, type materials and arts.

COLOUR IN NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE PRODUCTION

Just as colour adds splendor and beauty to life, so also it does to newspapers and magazines. A
colourless publication is bound to be not only unattractive but also boring. It creates a somber
like appearance which is not ideal for the taste and sophisticatedness of today’s
newspaper/magazine readers. Thus, use of colour has become a common phenomenon in
newspaper/magazine production.
Factors that Facilitated the Use of Colour in Print Production
The trend toward the use of colours in newspaper/magazine was brought about by a number of
factors.
COLOUR PRINTING
Colour printing is the reproduction of an image in colour. The two types of colour printing
are: Spot colour and Process colour.
SIGNIFICANCE OF COLOUR
As stated earlier, colours are not used for nothing. There are means to have effect on our
emotions/mood. It means different thing to different people. Below are some meanings
associated with colour.
1. Blue: This suggests importance and confidence. It is a colour linked with intelligence
and stability.
2. Red: This signifies importance and power. In some culture, red denotes purity, joy and
celebration. It also denotes danger.
3. Green: this symbolizes life, growth; renewal and health. Green may also represent
jealousy or envy.
4. Yellow: This is a warm and cheerful colour. Yellow ribbons are worn as a sign of hope.
It is a colour used on warning signs because, we link it with danger, in Egypt, yelloe
stands for mourning, yet in Japan, it means courage.
5. Orange: This is a warm and stimulating colour. It gives a feeling of energy and
warmth.
6. Purple: This represents royalty in many cultures and it suggests nobility.
7. White: This is sometimes defined as the absence of all colours and sometimes as the
presence of all the colours of the spectrum of light. It symbolize truth, purity and glory
and on the road to heaven.
8. Black: This is the colour that is associated with satanic rituals, darkness, mourning and
the underworld.
HEADLINE WRITING
All news stories, whether in print or broadcasts media have headlines. Headline in news
production can be likened to the human head through which the human body is identified.
This means that any news story without a headline cannot be said to be news story in the true
sense of it. Through the headline, a news story is recognized, it tells the reader at a glance
what the story is all about; and which in turn aids the reader in decision making i.e., whether
to read the story or forget about it for another. The importance of headline to news production
28
has reached a crescendo which is why reporters are not allowed to cast headlines for their
stories, instead they are allowed to indicate the very theme of the story by writing on the top
right corner of the story a slug (catch word or phrase) that informs the editor on what such a
story is all about. Sambe and Abah (2002, p.59) defines headline as “any line or collection of
lines of displayed type that precedes the story and summarize or introduces it”.
In print journalism, headlines don’t take the same length or boldness. The longer and
bolder a headline appears, the more important the story underneath it is considered. This is
why Hodgson (1984, p.99) notes that newspaper pages consists of headlines of different sizes
and width. Most of them in a matching type but with the odd one or two in a different type of
give variety.
Guidelines to Headline Writing
The following guidelines have been provided by seasoned editors and experience
journalists on how to come out with headlines that have clean ‘bill of health’. It is strongly
believed that when a beginner follows these simple rules, the sky will also be his beginning,
not his limit.
1. Headlines should be Accurate
Headlines should be punchy, straight to the point and definite. This means that headline
should not guess, rather they should be informative, exact and truthful.
2. Avoid Ambiguity
Ambiguity refers to expressions or phrases that can be interpreted to have more than one
meaning or explanation. Headlines therefore should be limited to just one meaning, i.e., they
should mean what they say no not reflect the body of the news is grossly unacceptable.
3. Streaming/flush left headlines
In this type of headline, you have several lines making up the headline with all the lines
beginning from left margin or column.

4. Flush Right Headline

This is the opposite of flush left headline because the headline is set to the right-hand corner,
without stretching to the left corner of the page. Each line of the headline begins from the
right margin of the page.
5. Skyline Headline
Sky headline is a type of headline that is on top of the flag of the newspaper. The essence of
placing such a headline there is to highlight the importance of the story as in most cases; the
detail of the story is usually in the inner pages.
6. Kicker or Over-line Headline
Kicker or over line as the name implies is a line above the main headline. The aim is to
provide clarification to the main headline.
7. Dropline/step line/staged headline
This type of headline takes after the shape of a staircase in that the first line is flushed to the
left; the second is centralized while the third is flushed to the right. If the headline consists of
only two lines, the first is flushed to the left and the next to the right.
8. Inverted pyramid headline

29
It is called the inverted pyramid because; it is the opposite of a typical pyramid (pyramid
turned upside down). This means that when cast, the first line is longer than the second line
which in turn is longer than the third line, with each line centralized.
9. Cross line or bar line Headline
This is a headline made up of one line stretching from left margin to the right margin of the
newspaper. This is different from banner headline because quite often, banner headlines are
more than one line of display type.
10.Hanging indentation headline
Hanging indentation has the first line longer than the succeeding lines. Those succeeding lines
are indented from the left side of each of them. It could be only one or two succeeding lines
depending however on how the headline caster has conceived it, as well as what he wants to
convey to the reader.
11.Rider Headline
Rider headline is used when there is the need to make certain important clarification about the
main line(s) of the headline. The headline is seen as additional information that could catch
the reader’s eye and lure him into reading the body of the story.
12.Centered Headline
In centered headline, each line of the headline is placed in the center, i.e., on the same position
and the same length
13.Jump/continuation headline
In most cases, stories on page one (front page) do not end on the page due to competition for
space by other important stories. This gave rise to the idea of jumping stories to another page.
Therefore, jump means that a story started on a particular page is to continue on another page.
When this happens, the reader should be made to understand what the editor has done
with such a story. To help the reader find the continuation with ease, the page is indicated
from the first page of the story and sub head that points at the story on the new pages is used
to direct the reader and is cast in smaller point size than the original.
14.Sub Heads
When a story is too long. Editors break such a story into parts or segments, with each
segment having a separate sub head. If a page does not have photograph or other
illustrations, greyness will occur. To break the greyness, bullets maybe used to prevent the
monotony of the grey effect. Sub heads should be properly inserted to maintain flow and
unity of purpose. Sub heads are only indicated on the copy, not in the dummy since the end
page of the story cannot be determined.
Headline Counting
In marking copies by subeditors’ headlines with their accompanying instructions are
also indicated. This 1s normally done on a separate piece of paper not on the dummy Headline
coining system has been developed to help page planners determine the space each headline is
to occupy.

30
 In headline counting, particular attention is paid to letters with ascenders and
descenders 'gh’, lift’, WM while the other letters are treated conventionally. Find below an
easy way to determine spaces for headlines.
1. Lower cases, except letters 'f’, ‘I’, 'j’, ‘i’, 'm’, ‘t and ‘w (Count 1 unit)
2. Lift and j (count % unit)
3. All lower cases, m and w (Count 1 % units)
4. All capital letters, except M, W and I (Count 1% units)
5. Capital letters W and N (count 2 units)
6. Capital letter I (Count | unit)
7. All punctuation marks (Count 4 units)
8. Question marks and dash (Count 1 unit)
9. All spaces between words (Count 1 unit)

Example
20 pts bold U/L
2 lines or deck
19 ems or 2 cols.
Kogi: A State Transiting in Crisis
Kogi: A State=13 pts. Transiting in Crisis=17 ½ pts.
(The Nation, Jan 27,2016, p.12)
Headline Schedule Headline
schedule facilitates the plotting of headlines with respect to the space each headline occupies.
Headline schedule is arranged in such a way that at a glance, the font size, the number of
columns they are to occupy (whether in upper or lower letters) is known. The minimum and
maximum number of letters depending on the font size is also determined.

Newspaper is a record of events or news. The record could be daily or periodical depending
on whether the paper concerned is a daily, weekly or forthrightly. Newspapers cover a variety
of topics which include politics, crime, sports, business, entertainment, weather forecast,
opinion etc. at the local, national as well as international levels.
The value of newspaper as a medium of communication is immeasurable. It offers great
benefits in learning, influences thinking, incites action and entertains.
Most Nigerians obtains their major news from the broadcast media but depend on the print
media for details, explanation and background information. Radio and TV can present
immediate news and catch listeners or viewers’ attention readily, but time limitations may
prevent them from doing detailed reporting.
In fact, newspapers are still the pre-eminent conveyors of news for many. Whereas TV
images and broadcast words are fleeting and impermanent printed words last. Whereas news
magazines offer a once-a-week summary of news, newspapers are an important and satisfying
part of the lives of all those who hunger for new every day. rise of the newer news media. The
importance and value of newspapers remain undiminished by the rise of the newer news
media.

31
Hynds (1972) describes newspaper thus: “newspaper stimulates, motivates, Hinds (1972)
describes newspaper thus: "news inspires, interprets, builds, preserves, excites, satisfies, and
sometimes disappoints. It archives yesterday, chronicles today and periscopes the possibility
of a brighter tomorrow.”
NEWSPAPERS AND THE WEB
Hanson (2005) says when television news started becoming peripolar in the 1950s in USA,
newspapers were gradually forced a way from a reliance on breaking news and on-going news
story that require frequent updating. With only one edition a day there is no way a newspaper
can compete with television which can update an ongoing news continuously. But, for the
world web wide (WWW) has changed the picture dramatically. Now morning newspaper can
publish and electronic afternoon edition not subject to the disadvantage to their traditional
afternoon newspapers. And when a breaking news story calls for continual updating papers
website can provide such update as well.
Newspaper websites are particularly good at presenting technical breaking news such as
electron returns. Readers can type in their address and see what their ballot will took like
before going to the polls. However, the web cannot replace newspaper in the near future as
some writers suggest. According to Daniel Rosenweign (2005) President of the online
computer news site called Zdent, history has shown that one medium does not necessarily
replace another medium. It’s actually expanding the number of people who come in and use
information.
Therefore, evolving technologies has brought changes to the newspaper business. In the
US the rise of television on news has resulted in the decline in the number of afternoon
newspapers, but more people still read a newspaper than watch the evening news. The World
Wide Web (WWW) has given newspapers more opportunity to update the news rapidly and
has allowed then to compete more effectively with radio & Television.
Wesley and Cambell (1957) say the newspaper is unique and has helped to define
journalism. According to them it is a vital and indispensable medium of mass communication
in a free civilization. The importance of newspaper stretches far beyond enhancing human
interest and event. It is the newspaper which not only educate readers but also acts like their
protector, guardian and well-wisher.

NEWSPAPER: ADAPTING TO THE NEW MEDIA

(I.E. ONLINE JOURNALISM)
Although newspapers have suffered from the competition of other media they have also
adapted to technological innovations. For years, experts had declared various new media to
spell the death of the newspaper industry. First, there were newsreels shown in movie theaters
with their dramatics visual impact and larger captive audience. But newsreels on Saturday
afternoons only whited audience appetite for that week’s newspaper. Then came radio which
was seen as a threat in 1950’s. But again, radios on the slot coverages seemed to encourage
listeners seek out fuller coverage newspaper.

32
 With television experts again predicted that soon no one would read newspaper. But
television turned out to be mostly a headline survive, once again whetting the public appetite
of in-depth news arranged in a way that enable them to find and read what they wanted. When
the further challenges were presented by cable TIV, with its multiple channels denoted to
news, several newspapers embraced the technology by setting out their own cable-news
programmes. Newspapers in general also adapted to television-to-television news by
becoming more like i.e., by using colour photographs and other visuals shutter more
interesting stories. These trends were encouraged by the establishment of USA Today in 1982.
Like television, it is highly visual and fragrantly colourful.
Today’s biggest challenges in newspaper comes from the World Wide Web (WWW),
but newspaper is again facing those trends by embracing it. By 1995 US Newspaper were
pumping millions of Dollars into their own web editions.

READER
Whatever job you are part of the newspaper team, keep your readers in mind. They are
the ones you are aiming to satisfy. In most campus newspaper the readers include the
following:
1. Students in your university and their families
2. Lecturers and administrative staff in your university
3. The local community (Keffi town)
4. Journalism students in other university.
Readers determine contents. They had a tremendous impact on what the newspaper publishes.
If readers are satisfying with the contents of a newspaper, they will keep reading. Circulation
will rise. More advertises will being advertisement and the newspaper will grow and improve.
On the other hand, if readers are disappointed or disapproved of the contents, they will stop
reading. Thereafter, circulation will drop. Advertisers will pull out and lack of funds will
threaten the newspapers future.
A newspaper has to be soured those readers actually read and value it. It can do this
reporting fresh and interesting newspaper stories that are also well written. They should also
ensure that the designing of the newspaper is pleasing and inviting.
WHAT READERS WANTS AND NEEDS
To please readers, a newspaper this means the content must be give them what they
want. This means the content must be entertaining and interesting. For a campus, newspaper,
this may include pieces of advice on how to ease the examination anxiety a review of a new
computer game, stories about how students cope with life on and off campus. In short, the
campus newspaper must report about what students are doing, what affect them
(accommodation, electricity and water problems) and what they are involved in (e.g. forming
clubs, electing their executive council members or campaigning for offices in the Students
Union Government (SUG). In addition to offer readers, wants, journalists also have the duty to
offer readers what they need to know or will appreciate knowing. This is because as Prof.
Wilbur Schram says journalism has to sensitize people about available opportunities (e.g.,
employment opportunities, school, admission, banknote) and also forewarn them about

33
possible dangers (e.g., disasters like floods, fire, accident, earthquakes etc.). So that others
may takes safety measures.
On campus newspapers this kind of contents that students need to know might include
stories that inform about sport team record, foreign scholarship, university vandalism and
news rules about examination conduct or about how to dress decently in class.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Balancing what readers wants and needs often falls to an editorial board. The board
meet regularly to discuss contents and plan future issues of the paper. It also decides the
newspaper official opinion on issues and make decision about the editorial page. Which is the
page that is devoted to opinions. The page facing the editorial page is called the OP-ED or
opposite editorial page. Editorials are place on the editorials page. Other opinion articles may
appear on the OP-ED page.
A typical editorial board includes; Editor-in-chief, selection or line editors, the design
editor sometimes even the business manager. Other times it maty include the entire staff from
reporters up to the editor-in-chief. It all depends on the size and structure of the newspaper
organization.
FUNCTION OF EDITORIAL BOARD
1. They maintain the editorial policy of the newsposter
2. The meet regularly to plan editorials
3. The approve all editorials appearing in the paper, since that is the opinion of the newspaper
4. They select from among themselves who will writhe the specific editorial for each edition
of the paper
5. They balance what readers want and need in form out stories, cartoons, interviews
editorials etc.
EDITORIAL PAGE
This is devoted to opinions. It is the voice of the community, where readers and the
editorial staff interact, it comprises of the followings;
1. The editorial which is a short article the expresses opinion on a topic. The editorial board
decides what topic. The editorial board decides what topic to tackle and what to say about
them. Any members of the board way be assigned to write and editorial after the editorial
board meeting. Editorial had the potential to influence readers in significance ways.
2. Other Opinion:

PUBLISHING NEWSPAPER
THE NEWSPAPER TEAM
Publishing a newspaper may involve a few people orate hundred people, depending on the
size. Whether the newspaper’s staff is large or small, everyone must work together.
Journalism depends on team work.
Every newspaper is organized in its own way, and titled assign for each position vary.
Yet the cores position has duties that are similar:
1. Publisher: He is the head of the whole operation. In professional newspapers company the
publisher is often the owner. In journalism, the publisher is the university management, it
34
 is the one that sponsor the departmental newspaper. Usually, the university council set the
guidelines for the paper and the vice chancellor ensure that they are carried out. But it is
the staff adviser who make sure the paper gets publishing. To do this, the adviser has to
coordinates the whole crew of junior journalists as well as oversees that goes into the
paper. The adviser also has to see that is enough `money to run the paper.
When there are issues to discuss between the university and the newspaper staff, the
adviser mediates the discussion. If there are disputes among the staff the adviser helps
settle them. Ideally, the students’ journalists write, edits, design and takes photograph
while the adviser and his challenges offer their opinions and make suggestion.
2. Editor-in-chief: He is the next in the chain of command. He/she makes finals contents
decisions and supervises the entire staff in the overall operation of the paper. It is a position
with prestige and power-but with it comes pressure too.
He guides and advices the staff who must in turn cooperate with him, support him and be
open with him. Open communication promotes productive team work.
Some papers ease the responsibility of the day-to-day operation to a managing editor
who serve as vice president visit like the editor-in-chief as president (i.e., one who presides
over a meeting).
3. Section or line editor: most newspaper is divided into sections or lines such are news,
features, sports, entertainment etc. On many papers each section is headed by an editor
e.g., news editor picture editor, entertainment editor etc. The section editor or line editor is
a section expert-someone who knows the section or line topic inside out. On some papers,
these editors are known as page editors.
The section editors’ main job is to give newspaper story assignment and to work with
reporters to make those stories possible. On campus newspaper, section editors usually
serve as reporters too.
4. Copy editor: a copy editor check copies before it goes into the pages. Copy is any and all
words that could be said in print. The copy editors double check the copy for accuracy. All
copies are cross checked and confirmed. Copy editors also see that the copy conforms to
the newspaper rules, grammar, punctuation and the words usage. Professional newspaper
may employ several copy editors. However, on school newspaper, reporters and section
editor often serve as their copy editors.
5. Reporters: these are the backbone of the newspaper operation. They search out story’s
ideas, gather the facts and write the stories. Indeed, if there are no reporters, there will be
no newspaper. Some reporters track down whatever story they are assigned. These are
called general management reporters. Others cover a beat, which is a particular area of new
such as sports, education or entertainment. Reporters that are just beginning in the field are
known as CUV reporters, who at first way be assigned routines duties in the newsroom.
Later, they may try reporting different types of stories.
6. Design editor: on school newspaper, a design editor oversees staff members who serve on
the design staff, in addition to their owner roles. Members of the design staff arrange they
story photos, illustration and advertisement. On the pages and may provide act work. On
some newspaper, artists who are not on the newspaper staff contributes art work as needed.
The design editor makes sure the content appears in a way that is exciting to look at and
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 easy to follow. The design editor may also supervise the production of the paper-
everything that goes into preparing pages for the printer.
7. Photographers: every newspaper needs photographs. Photos draw readers and add appeals
and believability or credibility to just about any story.
Photographers usually work on assignments. A section editor may assign a photographer to
take a photo for a reporter. Or a reporter way requests a photographer. Photographers on
campus newspaper serves as reporters as reporters themselves. Some school newspaper has
the photographic editor who work with the other sections editors to coordinates
photographs needed for any issue. A photographic editor trains and supervises the
photographers.
8. Business Manager: raise money and keeping of where it goes are the key duties of business
manager. On the campus newspaper the business manager works closely with adviser to
manage funds. Funding for a campus newspaper may come a variety of sources including
advertising. For this reason, the business manager often doubles at the adverting manager.
Circulation manager: the circulation of the newspaper is the total number of people ad place
that receive the newspaper. The circulation manager coordinates the distribution-all methods
for getting to the reader whether by air, train, sea or road. In addition, the circulation manager
maintains the morgue which is a collection of back issues of the newspapers needed for
reference and historical records. On a campus newspaper the entire staff usually cooperate to
help with distribution.

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