Analysis of a Broadsheet and Tabloid

What is the difference between broadsheets and tabloid newspapers? Does one always deal with more respectable news / produce more professional journalism than the other? Are there in-between types of newspapers?

The 1st question has already been gone through in class, but as a conclusion, these are the areas that we look at when comparing them: Layout, Language, Tone, Message, and Target Audience. Under these 5 categories, all of them have their own standout points, thus, they are 2 very different types of newspapers. In reality, one always deal with more respectable news and also produce more professional journalism than the other and that would be the broadsheet. Take Singapore’s 2 newspapers as an example: “The Straits Times” and “The New Paper”. Although the broadsheet, as discussed in class, is used for propaganda by the government, it still relays information to the general public, such as current affairs (World and Asia News), thus these are news that globally everyone should know (Global Perspective), thus, it would be classified as respectable news. Besides, they also do concentrate locally, such as the General Election, which should be seen as respectable since it involves us, the citizens and the government. Tabloid newspapers are generally informal and concentrate more on entertainment (Sports) than important news/headlines; they usually reveal opinions of some victims or a particular theme.

There is an in-between newspaper and I would mention it as “Reader’s Digest”. Reader’s Digest can be formal and very informal. It contains information which does appeal to current affairs at times, with the latest issue concentrating on the marriage in England. Other components include the Olympics last year and the appointment of Barack Obama as the President of USA. However, it can be informal like directors in Asia – their opinions and most of the time, they have this “Special Story” part which can be linked to current affairs, however, it is not directly related, thus, it seems more of a reading pleasure for those reading Reader’s Digest.