Newspaper

A newspaper is a lightweight and disposable publication, usually printed on low-cost paper called newsprint. It may be general or special interest, and may be published daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly. They are the oldest form of widespread information gathering and dispersal, dating back some 300 years in their present form, and can be found in every country and major city of the world, as well as in most smaller communities.

Circulation and readership

The number of copies distributed on an average day is called the newspaper's circulation, and is used to set advertising rates. Circulation is not the same as copies sold since some newspapers are distributed without cost. Readership figures are usually higher than circulation figures because of the common assumption that that the number of people reading a newspaper exceeds the numbers actually distributed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to United Nations data from 1995 Japan has three daily papers - the Asahi Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun - with circulations well above 4 million. Germany's Bild, with a circulation of 4.5 million, was the only other paper in that category.

Related Topics:
United Nations - 1995 - Japan - Asahi Shimbun - Mainichi Shimbun - Yomiuri Shimbun - Germany - Bild

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the United Kingdom The Sun is the top seller, with around 3.2 million copies distributed daily (late-2004).

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - The Sun

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In India, The Times of India is the largest English newspaper with 2.14 million copies daily.

Related Topics:
India - Times of India - English

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the United States and the United Kingdom at least, circulation has been declining for many years.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

USA Today has daily circulation of approximately 2 million, making it the most widely distributed paper in the country. However, the validity of USA Todays circulation figures are disputed by some in the newspaper community. This is because of the newspaper's contracts with hotels. Many of its papers are delivered to hotel guests who do not realise they are being charged for it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2004, several large U.S. newspapers were found to have overstated their circulation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~