Comprehending the Newspaper by Teacher Superstore

Comprehending the Newspaper Comprehending the Newspaper Headline news The front page of a newpaper is often the last page ready for printing. This is because it is the page that carries the most important news item of the day. To sell newspapers, it is important that the news carried in the paper is the most current available throughout the world. If this is not the case, readers will be left with 'old' news that has already been reported on television and radio. Therefore, the front page is very important. Often, it is a difficult decision to decide which of several news items is the most important. This decision is left to the editor. The editor must decide what is the most important item for

the readers of that paper. To attract attention to the news on the front page, the newspaper use two main tools. The first is the headline. This is often printed in very large type to attract attention. The wording of the headline is a difficult task, as it must contain enough information to attract the reader to read the full article and at the same time be small enough so that it does not take up too much space on the page. The second tool used to attract attention is a photograph. With modern satellite technology, newspapers have access to photographs from all round the world. A

photograph can attract instant attention as well as providing improved detail and support to a newspaper article. With the use of colour in many newspapers, now a common event, photography is becoming more important.

Display vs classified

EDIT

The two main forms of newspaper advertising are display and classified. Display advertisements are those found throughout the 'normal' section of the paper and can range in size from a postage stamp to a full page. The price of display

advertisements varies according to how close to the front of the paper they are placed and also whether they are on the right-hand or lefthand page. Display advertisements are also placed in specific parts of the paper such as sport,coo

ORIAL

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Comprehending the Newspaper Foreword Comprehending the Newspaper has been written for use in middle and upper primary classrooms as a resource that investigates the structure and purpose of newspapers. Significant amounts of text have been provided so that the activities can be used as part of the daily language program. It would be ideal if students had access to a newspaper while completing the majority of the activities, so they could relate directly to the specific area of discussion or investigation. Where possible, students are asked to read and comprehend the information provided and should be encouraged to relate this to a variety of newspapers. A more creative activity then follows so students can apply the information gained and exhibit their level of understanding.

Contents Where do you find your newspapers? Newspaper broken into small parts Headline news Waste plant to go ahead Newspaper collapses Advertising Display vs classified Advertisements criticised Advertisements praised Newspaper split in three The editorial You're the editor Collecting the news Behind the scenes Technology and printing Newspaper sleuth

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Comprehending the Newspaper 1 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Where do you find your newspapers? In today's modern society it is very important to be kept up to date with current affairs. One of the ways that this is done is by reading the newspaper. There are several different types of newspaper. Some are produced for particular groups of readers, some are produced for different times of the day and others are produced for different days of the week. The most common type of newspaper is the daily newspaper. It is normally published in time for people to read it after they wake up in the morning and carries news from the day before and information for the current day.

Other methods include hand delivery and individual purchase. Individual purchase can be from newsagents or perhaps from newsboys and newsgirls who sell papers in Another form of newspaper is busy city streets. Community the community newspaper, newspapers are often delivered which is published for a to houses by children. particular community group and carries news and The cost of a newspaper varies. information from a specific Some newspapers, such as community newspapers, are area or group of suburbs. free (although the cost can Newspapers can be obtained sometimes be included in in a variety of ways. The most charges that residents pay to common form of receiving the local government on an annual daily paper is to have it basis). Other newspapers are delivered. This is done by a charged for. The price of most newsagent, who generally newspapers is generally very delivers the paper by throwing low, as they rely on a large it on to the verge of the circulation to pay for their production. particular house. Other types of wide-circulation newspapers can include evening papers, weekend papers or once-a-week papers, such as the Sunday paper.

1. What different types of newspapers can be found? Can you think of others that are not mentioned in the article?

2. Why do you think the morning paper is the most popular?

3. What is the main purpose of newspapers?

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Comprehending the Newspaper 2 ESTABLISHED 1993

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4. What purpose do community newspapers serve?

5. Why do you think most community newspapers are free?

6. What is the cost of your local daily newspaper? Name three other things that you could buy for this price. Do you think that the newspaper is fairly priced?

7. How do people obtain a copy of the daily newspaper in your community? Could this be different in other communities?

8. List as many newspapers as you can find available to your community. Do you think this is an adequate supply of news?

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Comprehending the Newspaper 3 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Newspaper broken into small parts A daily newspaper carries a wide variety of news and information. Not all of the news and information is relevant to every reader. Therefore, it is very important that the newspaper is well organised and indexed. Most newspapers also make sure that their daily format is the same so readers can find relevant parts quickly. Many people will read only certain parts of a

newspaper. This can be for a variety of reasons, including a lack of time or interest. Therefore, it is very important for these people to be able to locate quickly the parts of the paper that interest them. Newspapers also carry information that people will need to refer to easily during the day, such as the weather forecast and television programming.

The best way to identify the different parts of a newspaper is to read it carefully and observe for yourself how the newspaper is put together. Important hints when you do this are to use the variety of indexes and headings that you will find throughout the paper. Just like a book, newspapers use these organisational aids to help the reader.

As part of your study of newspapers, answer the following questions and then complete the following worksheet that asks you to investigate how your local newspaper is organised. 1. Does the average person read all the parts of a newspaper? Why?

2. Why do newspapers need to be organised and indexed?

3. Why do most newspapers maintain the same format?

4. Use your dictionary to find the meaning of 'format'.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 4 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Complete this newspaper index to show how your local newspaper is organised into sections.

Are there sections of the newspaper that have further indexes?

Why is it necessary to have more than one index in a newspaper?

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Comprehending the Newspaper 5 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Headline news The front page of a newspaper is often the last page ready for printing. This is because it is the page that carries the most important news item of the day. To sell newspapers it is important that the news carried in the paper is the most current available throughout the world. If this is not the case, readers will be left with 'old' news that has already been reported on television and radio. Therefore, the front page is very important. Often, it is a difficult decision to decide which of several news items is the most important. This decision is left to the editor. The editor must decide what is the most important item for the readers of that paper.

To attract attention to the news on the front page, the newspaper uses two main tools. The first is the headline. This is often printed in very large type. The wording of the headline is a difficult task, as it must contain enough information to attract the reader to read the full article and at the same time be small enough so that it does not take up too much space on the page. The second tool used to attract

attention is a photograph (called a 'halftone'). With modern satellite technology, newspapers are able to have access to photographs from all round the world. A photograph can attract instant attention as well as providing detail and support to a newspaper article. With the use of colour in many newspapers now common, photography is becoming even more important.

1. Why is the front page of a newspaper often held until the last minute?

2. What type of news is the front page reserved for?

3. How can this create problems for the paper's editor?

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Comprehending the Newspaper 6 ESTABLISHED 1993

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4. How are headlines used to encourage a reader to read an article?

5. What role does photography play in encouraging and helping a reader?

6. Why would the front page article be different in different parts of a country or in different countries?

8. List some newspaper headlines that, if they happened, would be found on the front page of only your local newspaper.

On the next page you will see a headline and an illustration. Use these two pieces of information to create the article that should accompany them. Compare your article with that of others. R.I.C. Publications

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Comprehending the Newspaper 7 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Waste plant to go ahead

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Comprehending the Newspaper 8 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Newspaper collapses is collected. The other source of income is money obtained for advertising in the newspaper. Because a newspaper is read by many people on a regular basis, it offers an opportunity for people in the community to get messages to the general population. This is a very effective way of selling products. Newspapers can earn money by charging people and firms for advertising space in their paper.

This could be a headline to appear in a newspaper anywhere in the world. The business of publishing newspapers is a very expensive one and unless enough income can be generated a newspaper will collapse or be bought out. Major newspapers in most countries in the world are organised so that they make a profit. In some countries, they may be owned by the state and therefore don't need to make money. To make a profit, a newspaper needs to have income from two main sources. The first is the money paid by the reader to buy the newspaper. This amount depends on the 'circulation' of the newspaper. In other words, the more papers sold on a regular basis, the more money

The success of a newspaper therefore depends on having a wide circulation and a high level of advertising. To achieve these, the newspaper must be popular; that is, widely read.

1. What are the two ways that newspapers throughout the world are financed?

2. Name the two main methods by which a newspaper earns money and explain each.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 9 ESTABLISHED 1993

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3. Find out what the average daily circulation is for your daily newspaper.

4. If you were the owner of a large daily newspaper, explain how you would ensure that the newspaper made enough money to stay in existence.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 10 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Advertising Advertising is where a person or group tries to pass a message to other people or groups of people. This is most often to promote a product or service. Newspapers are one of the main methods of this promotion. In fact, in many newspapers, over 50 per cent of the available space is taken up by advertisements. Newspapers have certain special advantages over other forms of advertising. 1. Newspapers are produced daily and therefore advertisements are up-to-date. 2. Most adults read a newspaper daily. 3. Many people read newspapers just to look for advertisements of specific products (e.g. food or motor vehicles). 4. Newspaper advertisements can keep up with sudden trends. For example, after a heatwave, a swimming pool company can quickly place an advertisement for its product. 5. Newspaper advertising is often cheaper than other forms, such as TV.

Advertisements can be printed in many different shapes and sizes as well as being placed in different parts of the newspaper. The closer the advertisement is to the major news sections of the paper, the more expensive it will be. This is because people are more likely to see this advertisement than one that is placed further back. There are two main types of newspaper advertisement – display advertisements and classified advertisements.

1. What is the main purpose of newspaper advertising?

2. How much of a newspaper can be taken up by advertising?

Calculate how much of your daily newspaper is taken up by advertising.

Explain how you worked this out. What problems did you have?

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Comprehending the Newspaper 11 ESTABLISHED 1993

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3. Explain the advantages that newspapers can have over other forms of advertising.

4. What disadvantages do you think newspaper advertising has?

5. What are the two main types of newspaper advertisements? Cut out one of each from a newspaper and glue it below.

6. What type of advertising would you select to help sell each of the following items? • a second-hand motor vehicle • a range of mobile phones R.I.C. Publications

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Comprehending the Newspaper 12 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Display vs classified The two main forms of newspaper advertising are display and classified. Display advertisements are those found throughout the 'normal' section of the paper and can range in size from a postage stamp to a full page. The price of display advertisements varies according to how close to the front of the paper they are placed and also whether they are on the right-hand or left-hand page. Display advertisements are also placed in specific parts of the paper such as sport, cooking, travel etc. This form of advertising often uses a blend of text (writing) and graphics (photographs, artwork etc.) to get across a particular selling message. There are many different ways that this can be done.

Classified advertisements have a special section of the paper devoted just to them. Most of these advertisements consist of only a few lines of print, giving the bare essential details of what is being sold and a contact phone number. This is the section where individuals wishing to sell a particular item will advertise. The type of product advertised in the classified section varies greatly and can include just about everything. Many classified sections are broken into sections, such as housing, motor vehicles, boating, computers and general sales. As well as advertisements, the classified section of the newspaper can also contain death and birth notices, employment opportunities, auction notices, public notices and others.

2. What type of client do you think would use display advertising most often?

3. What type of client do you think would use classified advertising most often?

4. Why do you think classified advertisements are broken into specific sections?

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Comprehending the Newspaper 13 ESTABLISHED 1993

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You have just cleaned out the back shed and found an old bicycle and a lawn edger that you wish to sell. Make up a classified advertisement for each of these items.

You are a lawnmower sales company and wish to place a display advertisement promoting a new range of lawnmowers for the start of summer. Plan and then draw your advertisement in the space below, making maximum use of the space.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 14 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Advertisements criticised From a newspaper, select a classified advertisement that you think is poorly planned and presented. Glue it in the space below and explain your criticisms.

© R. I . C.Publ i cat i ons •f orr evi ew pur posesonl y• From a newspaper, select a display advertisement that you think is poorly planned and presented. Glue it in the space below and explain your criticisms.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 15 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Advertisements praised From a newspaper, select a classified advertisement that you think is well planned and presented. Glue it in the space below and explain what you see as its good points.

© R. I . C.Publ i cat i ons •f orr evi ew pur posesonl y• From a newspaper, select a display advertisement that you think is well planned and presented. Glue it in the space below and explain what you see as its good points.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 16 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Newspaper split in three All major newspapers have an editor whose responsibility it is to oversee the production of the newspaper. The editor is assisted by other people, who come from three main areas. • The editorial department • The finance department • The technical department Editorial This department is made up of many smaller areas, each responsible for the collection and presentation of news in a variety of areas such as international news, local news, sport, arts, health, education and so on. Each of these areas generally has an editor with a staff of reporters. Included in this group are columnists who are hired by the paper to write columns commenting on particular aspects of interest such as sport, fashion, gardening, cooking and general news. It is the responsibility of this department to provide the news for the paper to present to its readers.

Finance This section of the newspaper is responsible for making sure that the paper runs at a profit or at the very least is able to meet all of its expenses. The two main sections of this department are circulation and advertising. The circulation section is responsible for the distribution of the paper to its readers and ensuring that as many people as possible have access to the newspaper.

classified advertisements lodged by individuals.

Technical The technical department is responsible for printing the newspaper. Modern technology has produced and is producing rapid changes in the methods used to print newspapers. It is vital that this department is efficient, as daily newspapers must be printed within a twenty-four-hour period, which requires a good deal of organisation. Once the paper The advertising section has is printed, it is automatically salespeople who work in the assembled. community selling advertising space in the paper. This All sections of a newspaper are department is also responsible under the constant pressure of for the collection of the many deadlines.

1. What are the three main sections of a newspaper?

2. Why do you think it is necessary to break the organisation of the newspaper into these three areas?

3. What does the editor do? R.I.C. Publications

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Comprehending the Newspaper 17 ESTABLISHED 1993

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4. Describe the role played by each section of the newspaper. Editorial

Finance

Technical

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Comprehending the Newspaper 18 ESTABLISHED 1993

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The editorial The right of editors to express a point of view places them in a position where they can not only give their opinion but also influence the opinions of others who may be undecided on a certain community issue. Therefore, an editor must show great responsibility in (1) selecting the topics of the editorial and (2) the strength The opinions expressed in the of opinion that is expressed in editorial often will differ from the editorial. those of the reader and are written to express a particular The topics selected for point of view. This is different editorials vary greatly and can from most other articles in the depend on many factors, which newspaper, which are written include: - the type of newspaper; to provide factual information - the audience; and to readers on current news. - community views.

Nearly all newspapers carry a section called Editorial , which is the section of the newspaper generally written by the chief editor. In this section, the opinions of the editor and/or the newspaper owners are given on news situations that are current and of great interest to the community.

It is important to understand that the editorial of a newspaper is an opinion by the newspaper on a particular issue in the community. It generally encourages debate on the issue within the community and is seen as an important component of modern newspapers.

Who contributes the contents of an editorial column?

What factors influence the topic chosen for the editorial?

Explain how the editorial of a newspaper could encourage community debate.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 19 ESTABLISHED 1993

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You're the editor As you have seen, the editor of a newspaper has an excellent opportunity to express an opinion on important community issues. Place yourself in the position of editor of your local newspaper and write an editorial on the following issue. Remember that your editorial should: - express your opinion; - explain the reasons for your opinion; - encourage others to discuss and debate the issue; and - show responsibility. ISSUE

Local councils have decided to stop the collection of recycled material such as paper and glass because the costs of doing so are too great. Residents are being asked to collect and take these goods to depots themselves.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 20 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Collecting the News A successful newspaper is one that provides up-to-date news to its readers. If the news included is not current, readers will have no need to purchase and read the paper. To ensure that news is current the paper must have a news collection service that is fast and efficient. In general, this is done in two main ways: by reporters and by news services. Reporters The job of a reporter is often portrayed as a glamorous one, where the person is always caught up in an exciting world of investigation and discovery. While reporters certainly have exciting aspects to their jobs, much of the work is laborious and lonely, often with little result.

required to attend these places so that when an important piece of news breaks they are on the spot to report the information back to the newspaper. This can be a very tedious job at times if nothing exciting is happening. Another type of role for the reporter is assignment work. This is where a reporter is asked to attend a specific location to report on a particular event. This could include major sporting, musical and cultural events as well as important community happenings. Another type of reporter is the investigative reporter. This is the role that is often portrayed in movies and comics. It is one role of this person to seek out and investigate wrongdoings and corruption in the community and then report these back in the newspaper. In this particular role it is vital for the reporter to get the facts correct, as legal action can be taken if people are wrongly accused or defamed.

News Services It is impossible for a newspaper to have reporters spread throughout the world collecting information and following fastbreaking stories. The way that this problem is solved is by the use of news services. A news service has teams of reporters who collect news and then send it by telephone, facsimile or wire service to thousands of newspapers worldwide. Most large countries have at least one major news service which provides news worldwide. Reuters is one such famous news service.

Newspapers employ reporters to collect news quickly and accurately. The many different parts of a daily newspaper mean that there are many different types of reporters. One type of reporter is employed to perform a similar A reporter's job is a very task every day at a place such important one and can be both as the courthouse or police exciting and tedious. station. These reporters are 1.

What is one major factor that can decide the success of a newspaper?

What are the two main methods used by newspapers to collect news?

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Comprehending the Newspaper 21 ESTABLISHED 1993

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There are three main roles of a reporter explained in the text. List the three and explain the role of each. (a)

(b)

(c)

Which of the three types of reporters would you prefer to be? Explain your reasons.

Why is it necessary for newspapers to use news services?

What technology do news services use to make sure that news is spread quickly?

Explain what you see as the good and bad parts of a reporter's life.

GOOD

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BAD

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Comprehending the Newspaper 22 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Behind the scenes Once news is collected by a reporter or provided by a news service, a lot of work has to be done so that it reaches the reader quickly. This is the work often unseen by the reader but which, in fact, forms some of the most important parts of newspaper production. Once the news is collected it must be rewritten in a form that suits the style of the newspaper and the needs of the reader. Reporters usually write their own stories, but some newspapers have writers whose job it is to rewrite stories in the 'correct' style. After the story is written, the article is taken to an editor, or a sub-editor, who may also 1.

make minor alterations. The process of writing and editing stories has been greatly eased by the introduction of computers. What used to take a long time can now be sped up by the use of linked computers, spelling checkers and other computer aids. When the article is correct, it goes to a printer called a compositor, who follows the guidelines of the sub-editor and places stories, pictures and advertisements into position on the page. A range of methods is used by newspapers to set the type ready for printing. However, this part of the process is also being changed rapidly by technology.

The process of printing the newspaper has also changed greatly in the last twenty years. Newspapers are printed on giant presses which print onto huge rolls of paper called newsprint. As printing is completed, the newsprint is cut and folded into completed papers and sent for distribution. The need for news to 'be on the streets' quickly has seen the newspaper industry make big changes to streamline production since the first handoperated printing presses were used.

How do newspapers make sure that the text is prepared and presented with correct spelling and grammar?

Explain how technology has affected the newspaper business.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 23 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Technology and printing Research the development of the printing press and present this information to show how technological advances have affected the printing industry. Use a selection of diagrams and text (writing) to present your findings.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 24 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Use a flow diagram to show how the following incident is taken from the actual event to be read by the reader at the breakfast table. Include as many individual steps as possible to show the full process of presenting the news in a newspaper. A massive oil tanker has hit a reef on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and is starting to break up.

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Comprehending the Newspaper 25 ESTABLISHED 1993

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Newspaper sleuth Locate these newspaper words in the sleuth below. The words can be found horizontally, vertically, diagonally and back-to-front. NEWSPAPER REPORTER PRODUCTION COMMUNITY HEADLINE ADVERTISEMENT DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY

CURRENT EDITOR NEWSAGENT INDEX PHOTOGRAPH CLASSIFIED DEADLINE PRINTING

B C H D B P R I N T © R. I . C .P u bl i ca t i on sI N G W I H H O F E E N I L D A E D • f or r e vTi ew pu r p oRse so n l y •R S D E A R C K G M P L E E

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