Did you know that the first newspaper dates back to 131 B.C.?
Believe it or not, the Romans are said to have invented the first “newspaper.” Technically they were not news “papers” because they were written on metal or stone. But they were distributed to disseminate daily news. They were “official” texts that were known as “Acta Diurna,” which translates to “daily acts,” and were utilized to discuss legal, civil, and military matters.
The content was generally composed of events such as details of recent Roman Army victories, a listing of games and spectator sports, notices of births and deaths, and even some human interest stories. These Roman newspapers were displayed in such venues as the Roman Forum, where a large number of citizens would gather.
The Romans also had another news medium called the Acta Senatus. This detailed the proceeding of the Roman Senate. This newspaper was not made available to the public until 59 B.C.when Julius Caesar ordered for the Acta Senatus to be made a public document.
The Oxford Gazette, which was later named the London Gazette, holds the title of the World’s oldest existing newspaper. Still in circulation today,it was first published in 1665. It is essentially the “official journal of record” for the United Kingdom.
Here are some other interesting facts about newspapers:
While naysayers predict the end of newspapers, Worldwide circulation is impressive. According to statistics provided by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, more than 2.5 billion newspapers are circulated daily across the planet.
Newspapers are a source of historical information- Many newspapers digitize their archived issues, thus providing a wealth of valuable information available with a few simple keystrokes of your computer.
Broadsheet Vs.Tabloid- Newspapers come in different page-size formats. Broadsheets and tabloids are the two most common formats. Broadsheets are larger and are typically associated with serious, in-depth news. Tabloids on the other hand, are smaller and often concentrate on overdramatized, and often slightly less-than-factual stories about celebrities and public figures.
Here are some surprising numbers from News Media Alliance:
Newspaper consumption is strong- Approximately 65% of U.S. adults read newspaper media content in an average week, 54% of adults ages 18-24 read newspaper media in a typical week, and 8 in 10 Americans read newspaper digital media each month.
Millennials consume newspaper media- Nearly 44 million Millennials read newspaper content in either print, online or on a mobile device. Approximately 9 in 10 Millennials ages 25-34 consume newspaper digital media. Millennials are 39% more likely to engage with newspaper digital media on a mobile device than other age groups. Two-thirds of Millennials who are college graduates read newspaper content on a weekly basis
The newspaper digital media audience is skyrocketing- In August 2015, newspaper digital content reached 179 million adults, growing from 164 million in 1 year. Newspaper digital net reach is highest among women ages 25-44, at 92%.
More than any medium, advertising in newspapers is considered the most believable and trustworthy- Newspapers are the leading consumer source for coupons.
7 in 10 adults use newspaper-delivered coupons. Eight in ten adults took action after seeing print newspaper ads in the last 30 days. Print and online newspaper media are used by 57% of adults weekly for shopping planning and purchase decisions. Consumers find print newspapers to be more believable and trustworthy (26%) and look forward to print newspaper advertising (22%) more than other advertising sources, including the Internet, TV, radio, catalogs, magazines, and mail.
As you can see, the numbers show that even though readers continue to embrace digital media, newspapers remain a vital component of the information superhighway. Newspapers’ rich heritage, manifold topics of discussion, and dedication to responsible journalism seeking the facts, make them a key element of our democracy. Newspapers continue to inform, educate, and entertain readers across the world.
