USES AND GRATIFICATIONS OF

NEWSPAPERS

EDUCATION / INFORMATION

Newspapers share news with the

reader and informs them of what is

happening around them.

Local newspapers, will attract the

readers of the community it is

targeted at, as the news is relevant

to them, and they will be informed

on things that could affect them.

SOCIAL INTERACTION / PERSONAL IDENTITY

Newspapers are a source for social

interaction as it gives us something to talk

about, which enables us to interact with

society. We are also able to relate to stories,

which helps us by identifying with others,

also gaining a sense of belonging.

A local newspaper helps a reader identify

themselves in with a crowd, as the

newspaper is specifically targeted at them.

ENTERTAINMENT

Another purpose of a

newspaper is to entertain.

Many (local) newspapers

include such things as

horoscopes, crosswords, and

agony aunts. This allows the

reader to interact, is helps in

grabbing the reader’s attention.

ESCAPE

This allows the reader to escape their own lives for a bit and

delve into your own world, focusing your attention on the

news of others, e.g. Celebrity gossip, allows the reader to

wonder what is going on in a celebrities life, therefore taking

the reader away from their own problems and focusing on a

certain celebrities mishaps.