Vocabulary:

among [ə`mΛŋ] – среди

art [a:t] – искусство

aside [ə`said] from – помимо, за исключением

at least [ət `li:st] – по крайней мере, по меньшей мере

circulation [,sə:kju`lei∫n] – зд.: тираж газет, журналов

column [`koləm] – зд.: колонка (в газете, журнале), gossip columns – колонки сплетен и слухов

comics, comic strips – комиксы

crossword puzzle [`kroswə:d `pΛzl] – кроссворд, головоломка

editorial [edi`to:riəl] – редакторский, редакционный

edition [ə`di∫n] – издание, выпуск

entertainment [,entə`teinmənt] – развлечение

exception [ik`sep∫(ə)n] – исключение

fashion [`fæ∫(ə)n] – мода

horoscope [`horəskəup] – гороскоп

influence [`influəns] – влияние

insane features [in`sein `fi:t∫əz] – зд.: абсурдный материал, рубрики

in contrast to – в отличие от

mélange [`meila:n3] – смешение, смесь

monopolist [mə`nopəlist] – монополист, сторонник системы монополий

murder [`mə:də] – убийство

notable [`nəutəbl] – известный, выдающийся

remarkable [ri`ma:kəbl] – выдающийся, поразительный

responsible [ris`ponsəbl] – ответственный

society [sə`saiəti] – общество, общественность

separate [`seprit] – отдельный, особый, независимый

size [saiz] – размер

to be happily married [`mærid] – состоять в счастливом браке

to range [`reind3] from … to – различаться, варьироваться от … до

to take a test – пройти тест

varied [`veərid] – различный, многообразный

For self-examination

Answer the questions:

1. Why are local newspapers more important than national in the USA?

2. What are the most important US papers?

3. What kind of information do the pages of "responsible journals" contain?

4. What is an ordinary US press full of?

5. What newspaper has the largest circulation?

Fill in the blanks:

1. Local US newspapers are more important than _______ones.

2. Most US newspapers are controlled by large_______.

3. Although there are no separate _______ in the USA as there are in Great Britain, US daily papers do have special _______.

4. The ________ has the largest circulation of any newspaper in the US.

5. Almost every American newspaper carries_______, usually at least a page of them.

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence:

1. US newspapers, most, are controlled, by, monopolists, large;

2. in, the 20s century, have ranged, from, newspapers, to, "responsible journals", tabloids;

3. US, do have, daily papers, Sunday editions, special;

4. many, in, magazines, the, USA, national, are, and, even, international.

4. Make up a plan (logical scheme) and then summarize the content of the text "The American Press".

5. Read and translate the text "The Mass Media". Make the annotation to it in writing.

The Mass Media

The mass media play an important part in our lives. Newspapers, radio and especially TV inform us of what is going on in this world and give us wonderful possibilities for education and entertainment. They also influence the way we see the world and shape our views.

Of course, not all newspapers and TV programmes report the events objectively, but serious journalists and TV reporters try to be fair and provide us with reliable information.

It is true that the world today is full of dramatic events and most news seems to be bad news. People aren't interested in ordinary events. That’s why there are so many programmes and articles about natural disasters, plane crashes, wars, murders, and robberies. Good news doesn't usually make headlines. Bad news does.

The main source of news for millions of people is television. People like TV news because they can see everything with their own eyes. And that's an important advantage. Seeing, as we know, is believing. Besides, it's much more difficult for politicians to lie in front of the cameras than on the pages of newspapers.

Still, many people prefer the radio. It's good to listen to in the car, or in the open air, or when you do something about the house.

Newspapers don't react to events as quickly as TV, but they usually provide us with extra detail, comment and background information.

The Internet has recently become another important source of information. Its main advantage is that news appears on the screen as soon as the things happen in real life, and you don't have to wait for news time on TV.