The Media in BritainThe Media in BritainThe Press, Radio, Television and News Agencies

The Press (p. 169)The Press (p. 169)Gutenberg’s 15th century printing

press is one of the most important inventions in history.

The first newspaper in Britain appeared in 1513.

The longest running British newspaper is The Times

◦ Began in 1785

Differences in Differences in newspapersnewspapers

Quality Newspapers (Broadsheet)

Popular Newspapers (Tabloids)

More credible

Contain political, industrial, financial and cultural news

Less credible

Sensationalism

OtherOtherSunday papers

◦ Often crude◦ More sensationalism – scandal, crime, and

rumors about famous people

Local Papers◦ Daily or weekly – can be found all over

Britain

Periodicals (Magazines) (p. 173)◦ The Economist is the most influential

periodical◦ Radio Times and TV Times – previews

upcoming programs

Ownership of the Press (p. Ownership of the Press (p. 171)171)More than 60% of the national newspapers

are owned by two major companies◦ Trinity Mirror is owned by Robert Maxwell◦ News International is owned by Rupert Murdoch

Why problems may come up with such exclusive ownership in the media?◦ Focus on profit (Murdoch also owns News

Corporation)◦ Sensationalism (seen more in tabloids)◦ Independent newspapers find it difficult to

survive

Radio and TelevisionRadio and TelevisionBritish Broadcasting Company

(BBC) p. 174◦Founded in 1922 and chartered in

1927

◦The BBC includes both radio and television stations

◦The BBC is financed by payments from everyone who owns a TV. £139.50 per year £47 for black and white TV sets

Popular British TV ShowsPopular British TV ShowsThe most viewed channels are BBC1,

BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Five

Options of terrestrial, cable and satellite television

News Agencies (p. 175)News Agencies (p. 175)Reuters and Press Association Ltd. (PA) are

the main agencies in Britain.

A news agency provides information to newspapers, magazine, radio and television sources

Reuters - provides financial news

Press Association - produces 150-200 stories on weekdays

Sports (p. 178)Sports (p. 178)Football (Soccer) is the most popular sport in

Britain.

Rugby is more popular is places like Wales.

Cricket was started by the British but is played more in the commonwealth (India, South Africa, etc.)

Sports (cont.)Sports (cont.)Golf – popular sport for older British people.

Played on large greens (fields) with clubs and a small hard ball

Tennis – played on grass, clay, and hard (cement)court. Wimbledon is a famous tournament played every year in London.

Science (p. 182)Science (p. 182)Sir Francis Bacon

◦ Revolutionized scientific research◦ Wanted to start research institutions

Royal Society in London – founded in 1660◦ Research society◦ See a push in “the search for truth”

Isaac Newton◦ Theory of gravity

James Watt – Steam engine◦ Improved the ideas of Thomas Newcomen

Science (cont.)Science (cont.)George Stephenson

◦The steam railway engine was an improvement upon Richard Trevithick

John Dalton◦Atomic theory – elements have

different weights and mass

Charles Darwin◦Theory of evolution – revolutionary at

this time

Science (cont.)Science (cont.)Francis Crick

◦ With the help of American J. D. Watson, they discovered the molecular structure of DNA

Today◦Scientific research has not been

turned into productive forces◦Britain is involved in advanced

scientific research, but does not use this research for profit