Introduction
The history of the independent press starts in 1735 from the libel trial in the colony of New York of John Peter Zenger. Since that time the press is protected by law from government authority and is responsible to the public (Periodical 34373). Nowadays the United States American press strikes with the variety of the existing items and a wide range of the topics covered in them. The current paper is concerned with comparison of the two daily US newspapers, namely, Nebraska’s York News-Times and West Virginia’s Williamson Daily News.
Main text
The York News-Times was established in 1887, since 1892 it has been published daily. The Williamson Daily was established in 1912. The York News-Times is a property of Morris Communications Corporation located in Augusta, Georgia, the Williamson Daily News is a part of a 25-newspaper group operated by Heartland Publications, based in Old Saybrook, Conn.
In the online versions of the two dailies we find the newspaper claims that “York News-Times is Nebraska’s most complete news source” and that the Williamson Daily News serves readers “bringing local, state, national and global news to area doorsteps” (York News-Times, Williamson Daily News).
The front page of the York News-Times suggests the reader the information subdivided into several sections like: Local News, Sports, Anniversaries, Births, Business, Editorial, Education, Engagements, Food, Family, Health, Lifestyles, Obituaries, Regional , Religion, Seniors, Weddings, Youth. The Williamson Daily News singles out such sections as: News, Sports, Obituaries, Entertainment, Comics and Editorial. Thus, the two newspapers deal with nearly the same problems and are intended for a wide audience.
At first sight the front pages of the two newspapers attract the readers’ attention due to the brightness of the sections, the laconism of the articles’ titles and the information the articles contain. A reader of different ages and social status can find a useful item for him/her. The front pages of the two newspapers contain the newspaper overview that informs the reader about the items that this very issue focuses on.
If we compare the current issues of both newspapers we will see that the Williamson Daily News informs us about third bomb threat that Williamson schools faced this year, about Circuit Court affairs, County Commission’s decision to purchase new vests for deputies, Hilary Clinton reaching for Pa’s win today and warns that April, 22 is the last day to register for primary in West Virginia. Sports, entertainment, comics, obituaries and editorial information are also included.
The York News-Times throws light on first financial figures presented for proposed softball fields, melodious reunion, entertainment in corny kindergartens, city sales tax receipts that are down again, York’s Dibbern hosting solo exhibit, Duke’s falling in championship game. A lot of useful and interesting articles concerning anniversaries, births, business, engagements, food, family, health, lifestyles, weddings, youth are also presented to public opinion.
Both newspapers contain information on weather conditions, the day in history and other issues common for all newspapers of the kind.
Summary
Thus, we can see that the two daily newspapers discussed are intended for the same audience and do not differ in the thematic fields described. The Williamson Daily News and the York News-Times aim at providing the readers with a balanced and objective account of what goes on in their local area and elsewhere in the world.
Works Cited
“Periodical.” The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. 2007.
“Williamson Daily News.” Williamson Daily News. 2008. Web.
“York News Times.” York News-Times. 2008. Web.