Each person’s life is closely connected with the media. If earlier it was print media and radio, recently, more and more large and small enterprises prefer to deliver information via the Internet. Consider the features of the development and formation of the UK media, what types of publications exist at the moment, and also analyze the specifics of their work and possible development prospects.
Media and their signs
The mass media or mass media are broadcast channels through which the information is quickly transmitted to a specific audience.
Signs of the media are:
- periodicity (at least once a year certain information should come from the channel);
- mass character (information should be heard at least 1 thousand users);
- sources of information (for example, the UK and US media, which are the most popular and popular among users around the world, have proven sources, which is why residents choose them for the veracity of the information provided).
The media include print media (newspapers, magazines, collections), television and radio broadcasting, Internet portals or sites, as well as news agencies. The media do not include wall newspapers, a library fund, forums and conferences. Also, various blocks or blogs on the Internet did not previously belong to the media, but recently it is the only source of information for some users, and also accessible to many.
Classification of modern media
All media can be divided into groups according to the following criteria:
- ownership: private or public (for example, the leading media in the UK (in particular, the BBC) are publicly owned, and every Brit who pays taxes directly sponsors this source of information);
- breadth of distribution (regional channels or publications, central and international, broadcasting and enjoying popularity all over the world);
- Broadcasting style (high-quality, "yellow press", scandalous, for female or male audience);
- frequency (every day, week, month, year);
- genres (public, political, entertainment, industry, advertising).
Often channels, especially British ones, work in several directions at once. For example, the BBC or SKY channel is a newspaper, television and radio broadcasting at the same time. In addition, broadcasting is carried out not only in the UK, but also around the world.
General characteristics of the media in the UK
UK media have the most developed and extensive network in the world. At the same time, two out of three Britons who have reached the age of 15 read periodicals, which indicates the demand for this sector. More than 200 publications are published here daily, about 1, 300 newspapers or magazines weekly, 2, 000 local broadcast channels operate.
In this case, the British press can be divided into two main groups:
Solid editions.
These are broadband newspapers covering the most resonant socio-political events in the country. This is a series of high-quality press, the pages of which contain only verified information. The following sources can be attributed to this group: The Guardian, BBC, the Telegraph, the SKY, the Times, Independent.
The popular "tabloid" press.
There is also a place for politics in such publications, but most of the information is entertaining in nature and belongs to the “yellow press”. These are rumors, ducks, private stories. Such publications like to choose a catchy headline, which, of course, attracts readers, but in fact the quality of information leaves much to be desired. These publications include: the SUN, DailyStar, DailyMail, The Express.
Despite the fact that these two groups differ in style, such publications are very popular among the British.
UK Press Review
Since there are thousands of broadcast channels and 6.5 thousand print media in Britain, let us single out the largest media in Great Britain:
- BBC is a popular broadcasting corporation founded in 1922. Its structure includes television channels, radio (local and national) and periodicals (regional and international). This structure broadcasts worldwide, there are also online publications covering information in Russian (BBC Russian).
- The Guardian - founded in 1821, with a circulation of up to 1 million copies.
- The Times is one of the oldest print media founded in 1785. The circulation is small - more than half a million copies, and in order to read the information on the website on the Internet, it is worth going through the paid registration procedure.
- Financial Times - founded in 1888, with a circulation of more than 100 thousand copies, and is popular only among businessmen among financiers. The only newspaper that sells more abroad than domestically.
- Independent - the year of foundation - 1986, circulation - 250 thousand copies.
- Telegraph - founded in 1855, circulation - about 1 million copies.
- Daily Mail - founded in 1896, circulation - over 2 million copies.
- Sun - founded in 1964, the circulation of the newspaper is more than 3.4 million copies. Issued daily, although it belongs to the category of scandalous and low-quality press.
- Express - founded in 1900.
- Mirror - was founded in 1903.
In addition, there are special magazines for the female audience, which are no less popular. There are also publications of certain public organizations, universities, statistical information, accounting and economic issues, a regional press, which is published in almost every million-plus city.
Russian-language press: history and development prospects
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Britain has been filled with immigrants from all over the world. Now a third of the inhabitants of London are precisely foreigners. A rather large number of Russian-speaking citizens live in Britain. According to rough estimates, their number is more than 200 thousand people. That is why there are media in the UK in Russian, as well as in others, since there are so many foreigners in the country.
The largest and most popular source of information about situations and events in the country for Russian-speaking citizens is BBC Russian. This is an analogue of the BBC, only in Russian. Other sources of information also function. For example, “London Courier”, “London-INFO” - are published weekly with a circulation of more than 12 thousand copies. Publications that are distributed free of charge or by subscription include UK Pulse and England: Ours on the Island. Russian-language press is also published in other cities, where many Russians live.
In connection with the development of the Internet, the media have actively moved to the expanses of the World Wide Web. The Russians who live in Britain are used to trusting the information that is on the Internet. Among the sites broadcasting from London for Russian-speaking citizens in Britain, the following publications stand out: Ruconnect, MK-London, TheUK.one and others. They are not printed, but cover events in the UK in Russian. Most often these are articles translated from English sources of the same BBC, The Guardian and others into Russian.
TV Features
The history of the UK media begins in 1936. At first it was only the state broadcasting of the BBC channel, a few years later commercial television developed. According to statistics, the average resident of Britain spends more than three hours a day near the TV. The broadcasting license, as well as control over the news coverage process, is carried out by the Independent Television Commission (NTK).
The state strictly controls the broadcasting process. So, about a quarter of the airtime is allocated to documentary programs and news. There is no commercial advertising on the Air Force channels; promotion of a certain political party is also prohibited. Media in anticipation of the election should cover events impartially.
Despite the impartiality, the image of Russia in the UK media, especially on the channels and website of the Air Force, is somewhat distorted. According to both Russian observers and Russian citizens living in Britain, English-speaking sources are somewhat negative about the policies pursued in their homeland.
Review of British TV channels
British television channels are the most influential in the world. Consider the most significant in more detail.
BBC
Air Force One is one of the very first British channels, which is very popular among the population, despite the charge for viewing. Air Force Two - there are many documentary programs for every taste and art series. BBC Three is an experimental channel that broadcasts a wide variety of programs and films. BBC Four - broadcasts foreign films, for example, of French production, which is somewhat strange for the UK media.
There is no advertising on all channels of the Air Force, since they are funded by the state.
ITV.
The main competitor of the Air Force, but operates on a commercial basis. Revenues from broadcast advertising. Despite the quality content, its ratings are lower than that of its competitor.
Channel 4.
State television channel, but bolder than previous channels. It broadcasts the most diverse programs, especially reality shows, which brings popularity to the channel in certain circles.
Sky
If previously there was no original content here, recently the channel has been investing in its own projects. But the feature is the film adaptation of famous novels.
As such, there is no censorship on television. At the same time, each user, if he does not like something, can complain to the Communications Department, which will conduct an investigation and fine the channel.
Broadcast Features
The modern media in Great Britain is primarily radio, which is no less popular with the British than television. The most significant is the BBC, which has several channels, while each specializes in something of its own. In addition, this radio is broadcast in 45 different languages, you can listen to it anywhere in the world.
In addition to state radio stations, there are also commercial and many regional ones. Recently, in Britain received a big push radio stations, tied not to the region, but to a certain segment of the population. For example, Matryoshka Radio UK is a radio station broadcasting in London and Glasgow for the Russian-speaking population living in Britain.
Printed Press of Britain: History, Varieties and Specifics
The UK media is primarily print media. Although recently they have moved to the maximum on the Internet. Now each newspaper has a special website or phone application for viewing information on a convenient device.
Also, many print publications publish information only on the Internet, because lately young people do not want to read real newspapers.
Previously, British newspapers were in the form of books, pamphlets. The first prints were issued in the 15th century. For a long time there was a tradition of releasing Sunday newspapers.
Now the most significant and reliable in reporting information are the BBC (there is also BBC Russian - a publication in Russian), The Guardian, Evening Standard, The Telegraph, Daily Mail, etc. But there is the so-called yellow press, which, although not very much appreciated regarding the presentation of the material, but has a rather large readership.
What media do the British themselves prefer?
The British read the most diverse press. At the same time, it can be noted that they quite clearly and without hesitation express their position on everything that relates to the UK media. Independent state publications, for which each taxpayer in the country pays, are very popular.
There are also a ton of commercial publications or narrowly targeted information portals. For example, the Ruconnect portal covers in Russian everything related to the life of Russian, Ukrainian and Baltic citizens living in Britain. There are also other publications for the Polish diaspora and other foreign citizens.
It is worth noting that the British media in Russia also read, but do not completely trust. The most popular is BBC Russian.
