In this article, we will explore some of the most popular sources of news and how to navigate the vast sea of information to stay well-informed.
Newspapers receive news from many sources. There are some national news agencies which work in co-operation with foreign news agencies. The news by newspaper from agencies, also find their way into the pages of other newspapers.
There are numerous sources of news available to readers today.
The present era is an era of competition; therefore, newspapers try to provide better news to their readers than those of other newspapers. They want to publish such news, as can’t be provided by their rival newspapers to their readers, in order to promote their own circulation.
To meet this purpose they also hire reporters, representatives and ‘correspondents along with taking news from several news agencies pig newspapers employ mans whole time and part time reporters who send news stories to their papers from different sources.
These reporters include staff as well as special reporters. The correspondents in other cities are honorary and newspapeis give them only postal charges for their dispatches. These dispatches arrive in the paper office through mail, telex and telephone. While representatives send news at district level or ma\ be appointed in foreign countries, some individuals provide nex voluntarily.
- National and Provincial Assemblies
In democratic countries elected representatives and institutions play a very important role in national lite The proceedings of these institutions from a major news source Here constitutional amendment, legislation and budget making takes place. In discussions over these matters, a lot of things come to light which can be regarded as news. Some of these news may be thrilling. Therefore, when the sessions of provincial assemblies or the Parliament start, newspapers send their special senior reporters to cover their proceedings.
- Political Parties and Leaders
The visits of political leaders, policies and programmes of various political parties and their reaction to certain problems are political news and can be obtained from the offices of political parties. While giving political news, more importance is given to political parties whose manifestos and programmes enjoy wide public support. Newspapers usually have separate political reporters for reporting such activities.
- Meetings and Processions
The news of political and social meetings, processions, religious gatherings and other extra-ordinary meetings that are held in favour or against a demand are provided to newspaper by the reporters of the beat concerned. These reporters visit the venue of these gatherings and record their proceedings
- Press Conferences
People and institutions invite reporters of various newspapers at a known place for the expression of their points of view on a certain matter. Such a gathering is called press conference. Regular invitations are sent to the newspaper offices by the organizer or the institution. News papers send their reporters to the conference. Sometimes these conferences reveal startling facts.
Chief Ministers, Ministers, Prime Minister Polnic.il Leaders., Heads of important institutions convene such conferences. The person who arranges the conference gives wi men copies of his opinion to all the reporters. If some reporter wants an explanation of a certain point he can ask a question from the convener.
- Interviews
Sometimes intellectuals, political leaders and other important personalities are interviewed on some national or international matter. The interview may be about their personal life The reporter, while interviewing, may succeed in drawing out very important from the interviewee.
- Police Stations
News about accidents and crimes are obtained from the police stations. People register cases of various crimes in police stations. Thus the reporter should remain in touch with the SHO to get news. To know details ofcrimes he should visit the venue and gather information from people living nearby To get all these news he must have, friendly relations with the police officers
- Courts
Readers are much interested in the proceedings of famous trials. Every newspaper appoints separate legal reporters from District Courts to the Supreme Court of Pakistan These reporters are very experienced and take great care while reporting the decisions of the court because a minor change in a sentence may involve the reporter and his paper in the case of contempt of court Therefore, he should be very careful about a person whose case is under trial in the court He should be referred to as the accused and not the criminal A murderer should not be called a murderer unless proved He should be referred to as an accused murderer.
- Dead Body Houses
Every big city has at least one dead body house attached to some hospital. Here the dead bodies of persons killed in various combats and accidents undergo a postmortem People who have committed suicide also pass this phase Reports visit dead body- houses to find the reason arranges an interview with the doctor who has done post mortem. He may also contact members of the bereaved family.
- Fire Stations
The news about fire in the city can be obtained form fire brigade stations. Reporters get information from their offices, reach the spot, evaluate loss caused by the fire and also record statements of people on the site and those of fire fighters
- Offices of the Labour Organizations
The news about industrial concerns, economical condition of the country, reaction of labourers to some decision of the proprietors, strikes against harsh conditions etc can be obtained from the offices of labour organizations.
- Educational Institutions
Newspaper can get important and valuable news from the offices of education institutions, boards of intermediate and secondary education and universities. When is the examination going to be held9 When is the result being announced9 Who has stood first or second in the examination9 All this information can be obtained from the offices of the boards and universities. What are the curricular and extra curricular activities of students of various educational institutions9 Educational reporters get all these pieces of news for their papers.
- Airports and Railway Stations
The arrivals and departures of important personalities at the airports, hijacking and other incidents that occur at the airports and arrival of trains, accidents, increase in railway fare and all such news can be obtained from the public relations offices (PRO’s) of ‘airports and those of railway stations
- Department of Public Relations
Offices of public relations have been established and the provincial and federal level by the government and activities of ministers can be obtained from there.
- Local Bodies
In their meetings discussions are held on different problems of the city, and new projects are approved. Thus these bodies are an important source of news.
- Big Hotels
Different national and international personalities stay in big hotels. If a.reporter has good relations with the administration of the hotel, he can get valuable news from there
In addition to this, newspapers get news through teleprinters and on telephone from the offices of those newspapers that are published from other cities. Newspaper can get important news from other newspapej, jloc^l and foreign magazines and periodicals. National and international news agencies are also an important source of news.