The other day we got a phone call from a newspaper company trying to sell us a subscription. In my childhood home, I remember my parents enjoying the thick stack of papers full of news when it came and we would sometimes read it too. Nowadays newspapers are on their way out. Is my child missing out by not having newspapers in his home? Am I missing out?! What is the value of reading newspapers?
Reading news definitely has a value. It needn't actually be on printed paper to get the full value. Even online, a newspaper's reading level can be higher one, depending - of course - on the quality of the newspaper. The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times do not compare to the Daily Sun or other tabloids.
Reading newspapers can raise your language level and vocabulary. Also, it's (hopefully) not fiction or history but rather a richer and broader outlook on the world. Impartial journalism lets us be informed. Moreover, it can boost our abilities to read professional articles later on.
So - yes, there is a value to reading newspapers and not just random articles from the internet. However, it need not be a printed version. That is not to say that having a newspaper around would not be good - especially for those who don't use the internet on a Shabbat, or would appreciate cuddling close together with their child poring over a column or two.
Gaila
Gaila has over 40 year of experience teaching and runs A.H.A.V.A., a non-profit to promote English literacy. Would you like to ask Gaila a question? Email us at ahava.org@gmail.com or send us a message. Look out for more Dear Gaila columns