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Newspaper – Definition, History, Types and Formats

Arthur Freddie Howard Clarke • 2026-03-28 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

A newspaper is a periodical publication that provides news, views, features, and other information of public interest, typically issued daily, weekly, or at regular intervals. According to Britannica, this format has long served communities with timely updates.

Newspapers are usually printed on inexpensive paper and funded through subscriptions and advertising, as noted in a detailed definition. This model supports widespread distribution. Read more at Australiainsight.

Certain publications stand out for high editorial independence and journalism quality, earning status as “newspapers of record,” per Wikipedia.

What is a newspaper?

Aspect Description
Publication Type Periodical offering news and public interest information
Frequency Daily, weekly, or regular intervals
Production Printed on inexpensive paper
Funding Subscriptions and advertising
  • Delivers news, views, features, and public interest topics.
  • Issued at regular intervals for consistent access.
  • Relies on low-cost paper for affordability.
  • Sustained by reader subscriptions and ads.
  • Some achieve “newspapers of record” status.
  • Emphasises editorial independence in quality outlets.
Fact Detail
Core Purpose News, views, features of public interest
Issuance Daily, weekly, regular
Material Inexpensive paper
Revenue Subscriptions, advertising
Distinction Editorial independence, journalism quality
Recognition “Newspapers of record”
Scope Politics, crime, business, entertainment, sports
Ancient Origin Acta diurna, 59 BC

What topics do newspapers cover?

Newspapers typically cover local and national politics, crime, business, entertainment, sports, and other topics of public interest.

Standard Content Areas

  • Local politics
  • National politics
  • Crime reports
  • Business news
  • Entertainment
  • Sports

Editorial Distinctions

High

Arthur Freddie Howard Clarke

About the author

Arthur Freddie Howard Clarke

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