Today, with technological innovations including computers, teletype, telephoto and colour processing, newspapers have become big business. The advent of television as an important news medium has meant increased competition and many newspapers have successfully met this challenge by updating their style to attract new readers and boost circulation. The best resource for this unit is the local newspaper itself. Older newspapers can, and should, be used in various discussions and exercises involving parts of the paper, but current editions are best for classroom use. Many newspapers have a program for selling multiple copies for school use.
Discounts are frequently available.
Pupils should be encouraged to bring in other current newspapers available in the area. Often, editors are happy to send sample copies of their newspapers if they receive requests from teachers or students. A tour of a newspaper plant would be very interesting for students during this unit. Arrangements for such a tour should be made with the local newspaper several weeks in advance. Many newspapers in Canada have developed programs and materials to foster the use of the newspaper in the classroom.