The popularity of newspapers, in English or otherwise, is on the wane throughout the world. The popularity of the English language, however, is on the rise. This allows us to look at English newspapers in two ways.
First, they are a source of news, something that has come to be regarded as a utility product like gas, water, or power (the Internet is a new challenger in this regard). Second, we can look at English newspapers as one of many different sources of English texts, a source being read by individuals who are more or less educated and are interested in national and international news written in English.
If we cast a critical eye on the first point, that of English newspapers as just a source of news, it becomes evident why newspapers are losing currency around the world. People find broadcast media more interesting because they are more “multimedia,” employing video and sound along with pictures and writing. Radio channels only have sound at their disposal, and yet they are more popular than newspapers both in Bangladesh and elsewhere. Why?
This is partly because receiving news is effortless when it comes to the electronic media – just press the power button on the remote, sit back or lie down on your sofa, and enjoy. Getting news is even more effortless if it is on the radio. You don’t even have to keep your eyes open. All you have to do is listen to the speakers or plug in your earphones.
In today’s world, we are becoming more and more averse to reading in general. Advancements in science and technology have brought along many gadgets and devices that have impinged upon our habit of reading. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, portable audio devices, video game consoles, and of course social media, have invaded our hours.
This is not so much about newspapers as it is about reading. We do not have as much time to read anymore, be it newspapers or anything else.
If we consider the second point, that of English newspapers as a source of English texts – like novels and biographies – we begin to realise that English newspapers are perhaps more relevant to us this way. You wake up in the morning, yawning and rubbing your eyes, and then you find a fresh copy of your newspaper on your doorstep or on the nightstand every day.
The moment you take the copy in your hands, you can feel that there is something new and fresh about it, something that the novels and biographies stacked upon your bookshelf cannot afford you.
In one of my previous articles published in this paper (published on July 20), I suggested that English newspapers serve, to whatever extent, the purpose of language-learning in a country like Bangladesh, where English is not spoken natively. A copy of an English newspaper is a beautiful package, stuffed with English articles and news.
Another reason why English newspapers still are and will continue to be useful – at least to some extent – is that some people simply cannot do without reading an actual newspaper, which commands a certain amount of respect and trust from its readership. Newspapers publish serious news, and people take them seriously in return.
People involved in the translation of news stories from Bangla to English, or vice versa, frequently turn to English newspapers. Some educational institutions have their students use newspapers for their studies in translation.
These and many other facets give us grounds for optimism that English newspaper are not going to go out of circulation in Bangladesh any time soon. After all, it is a country whose vibrant media has won international acclaim in recent times.