The British Media
I- The National Press
There are, in the UK, about 130 daily and Sunday papers, about 1,800 weekly papers, over 7,000 periodical
papers.
The « quality » papers also known as broadsheets and the popular papers also known as tabloids are the two
main categories of newspapers.
What is the difference between the « quality » papers and the popular papers?
difference is the size, the format, the topics they cover, the prominence given some topics, the style of
English, the size of the headline, also the use of photograph
First the « quality » papers have a more larger size ; then it focus on political, social, economic and cultural
news, it focus on « serious news ». In this way it use a better english because it aim at a more educated
readership. The oldest « quality » paper is The Times.
The popular papers have a tabloid shape, smaller than the broadsheets ; then it focus on sex, scandals, gossip
or emotion topics. So it use a simpler style of english because it aim at a less educated readership. The
popular paper use larger use large, striking and catchy headline. It is more cheaper than « quality » paper.
The Sun is the oldest popular paper
A) The history of the press
The first papers appears in the late 17th century, in UK The Times papers appears in 1785.
In 1861, the first duties of the press were removed. In the late 19th century, when the popular press
developed, start the producing of cheap papers.
Later on in 1896 The Daily Mail was launched, same for the Daily Mirror in 1904 ; but this times a tabloid
with illustrations.
B) The press today
Nowadays the press circulation down by 40 percent since 1945, just because of the development of other
massive media like television, internet, smartphone…
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In UK the press influences people on the political side. So there are newspapers that support right-wing
parties like the Conservatives and others that support left-wing parties like the Liberal Democrats.
1) The main Conservative « quality » press
The Times
Founded in 1785 under the name of The Daily Universal Register, and three years later as The Times.
It uses compact format since 2004.
The Times supported the Conservative in 2019 and is pro monarchy, anti emigration. Owned by Rupert
Murdoch’s News Corporation, the circulation of this newspaper is about 360,000 per day (in 2020). In
addition to the daily newspaper there is a Sunday Times since 1822.
The Daily Telegraph (also known as the Daily Torygraph)
Founded in 1855 it uses broadsheet format.
It supported the Conservatives in 2010 for David Cameron. Owned by Telegraph Media Group, the
circulation of this newspaper is about 318,000 per day (in 2020). It has a Sunday version, The Sunday
Telegraph.
The Financial Times
Founded in 1888 it uses broadsheet format.
It supported the Conservatives. Owned by Nikkei Inc., his circulation is about 170,000 (in 2020).
2) The main Left-Wing « quality » press
The Guardian
Founded in 1821 it uses a Berliner format. It supported the Liberal Democrats in 2010. Owned by Guardian
Media Group, his circulation is about 110;000 per day (in 2020).
The Independant
Founded in 1986 it uses online newspapers.
It supported the Center Left. Owned by Alexander Lebedev, they have an Independent on Sunday since
2005.
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3) The main popular papers
The Daily Mail
Founded in 1896 it uses a tabloïd format. It supported the Conservatives in 2010 and in 2019. Owned by
Daily Mail and General Trust, this circulation is about 1.1 millions per day (in 2020). There is The Mail on
Sunday since 1982.
This type of popular press is about female readership.
The Daily Express
Founded in 1900 it uses compact format. It supported Conservatives in 2010 and in 2019. Owned by Reach
Pic it has a circulation of 251,000 per day (in 2020). It has The Sunday Express since 1918.
The Sun
Founded in 1964 it uses tabloid format. It supported Conservatives in 2010 and in 2019. Owned by the News
Corporation it has a circulation of 1.4 million per day (in 2020). It has The Sun on Sunday since 2012.
This type of popular press is about female readership.
The Daily Star
Founded in 1978 it uses the tabloid format and supported the right-wing. Owned by the Reach Pic it has a
circulation of 290,000 per day (in 2020). It has The Daily Star Sunday since 2002.
The Daily Mirror
Founded in 1903 it uses the tabloid format and supported the left-wing and more specifically in The Labour
Party in 2010 and in 2019. Owned by the Reach Pic it has a circulation of 388,000 per day (in 2020). It has
The Sunday Mirror since 1915.
4) The main magazines
Woman’s Weekly ; 230,000
Woman & Home ; 320,000
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Cosmopolitan ; 3 millions
Vogue ; 220,000
The Economist
Founded in 1843 it is a weekly magazine. It focus on economic and social liberalism. Owned by the
Economist Ltd it has a circulation of 1.5 million per [Link] has an Editorial anonymity.
The Spectator
Founded in 1828 it is a weekly magazine. It supported the Conservatives. Owned by by David & Frederick
Barclay it has a circulation of 80,000 per week.
Private Eye
Founded in 1961 it is a weekly magazine. It is a fortnightly and a satirical magazine, it is « a thorn in the
side » of the British establishment. Owned by the by Pressdram Ltd. it has a circulation of 250,000 per
week.
Reuters
Established in 1851, it is a news agency which hires several thousand journalist. Traduce in English,
Spanish, French, Japanese, German and Arabic.
5) The regional papers
The Scotsman founded in 1855 is a broadsheet with a circulation of 20,000 per day. It supported Centrist
Parties.
The Glasgow Herald founded in 1783 with the Sunday Herald with a circulation of 25,000 per day.
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