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press representation even the newspapers population and spread great get good such their therefore it
The power of the press in any country depends on the number of newspaper readers, and this, in turn, depends on the of education. Where readers are few, newspapers must also be few, and can appeal directly to only a small minority of the . In England, where even the poorest workingman can read, the reading public is practically the whole nation. Hence a large number of and their great influence on public opinion.
Now the great majority of newspaper readers are uncritical. Only a few think for themselves form their own opinions. Instead, most people accept what they read without question and base their opinions on what they read in favourite newspapers. Newspapers, therefore, mould public opinion.
In democratic countries, where the people control the government by the system of election and , public opinion is the chief power. No democratic government will have to yield to public opinion or be driven out of office. , it is obvious that if the press controls public opinion and public opinion controls the government, the press ultimately controls the government. is the political power of the press. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword.
This great power may be used for or evil. If the great newspapers are serious, disinterested, and clean, and give their readers a wise, courageous, and lofty lead on national questions, the power of the press will be a blessing. But suppose the papers are frivolous, prejudiced, corrupt, and pander to worst tastes of the people by filling their pages with scandal and sensationalism. In that case, their influence must be bad, and disastrous.
The commercialising of the modern press is an evil. A newspaper is a business concern and is meant to sell. To a large sale, it must give its readers what they want. And the more extreme, sensational, and exciting it is, the better will sell. As a result, it cannot afford to be lofty, serious, or moderate. A country that has an independent and clean is blessed indeed.