Reading to identify the writer's purpose. - SS1 English Lesson Note
The press is a general term for all types of printed newspapers and periodicals. It is an asset as well as a menace to society. Like many things in this world, it has its good and bad sides. Even though it has its bad sides, no society can shut it down and thrive.
The press has its aims and objectives which it follows, come what may. Anyone who wants to be abreast of current affairs or notable events in his society must resort to reading printed material, apart from watching the television. In fact, the press serves more people than the electronic media do. Newspapers and periodicals go where the television cannot. Printed material goes even to the remotest areas of a country.
Institutions of learning disseminate information. However, not all cities, towns and villages have these institutions, but the print media can be used to disseminate information to people in these areas.
Governments, institutions and organizations have their policies, programmes and activities for the smooth running of their affairs. At times, only those in authority reap the benefits. Subordinates are often afraid to criticize the authorities. Their best bet is to resort to the print media which become their mouthpiece. Thus. what the oppressed cannot do, the print media do without fear or favor.
The press is also at the beck and call of anybody who wants its services. Many a time one sees people going job-hunting. They roam the streets of cities and towns, go from one office to the other, move from one employing authority to another only to be told that vacancies do not exist. To be candid, they do not need to waste such time and energy seeking jobs. All they need to do is comb the advertisement columns of newspapers and periodicals and they will be informed about available jobs.
However, the press can be a nuisance in a society. How many times have we not found newspapers and periodicals publishing false and unauthenticated stories? Such stories spread like wild fire. They stir trouble and bring about disunity in societies. The publishers are often out to enrich themselves by churning out false information. For some newspapers and periodicals, reckless and dangerous gossip is their stock-in-trade.
No one can deny the fact that moral decadence has gripped our present world. It is true that even adults contribute to this menace in our societies. Many of our children and youths go for that which is morally low. However, the truth is that the press contributes, to a very large extent, to the loss of morality in our societies. There are publishers who specialize in the production of pornographic material which even our children and youths can afford to buy.
Publishers of newspapers therefore should constantly be conscious of their crucial roles in the society and should always strive to use the medium for the promotion of peace, orderliness, progress and prosperity and not for negative or destructive ends.