No doubt, is an important part of our life. People from different walks of life have become nowadays listeners, readers, viewers. Or in other words, reading newspapers and magazines, watching TV, listening to the news on the radio are our main means of getting information in all its variety. Newspapers with their enormous circulation report different kinds of news. They carry articles which cover the latest international and national events. Now people buy newspapers also for the radio and TV programmes which they publish. There are special newspapers which gave a full coverage of commercial, financial and publish affairs. There are newspapers and magazines for young people. They give a wide coverage of news, events and reports on education, sports, cultural life, entertainment, fashion. There are a lot of advertising programmes now, sensation material, too. They represent the views of today’s youth. Radio broadcasts are valued mainly for their music programmes (Europa plus). TV, radio, press reflect the present day life. Their information may vary from social and economic crises, conflicts, wars, disasters, earthquakes, to diplomatic visits, negotiations, from terrorism, corruption, to pollution problems, strikes, social movements. Much information is published concerning official governmental decisions. TV is the most popular kind of mass media now. Viewers are fond of watching variety show, films, sports, plays, games, educational and cultural programmes. We have many different channels, including commercial channels. There are many interesting and exciting programmes, but at the same time too often very primitive films are televised. I mean horror films, thrillers, detective films with all their cool-blooded atmosphere of violence and endless crimes and murders. Our family is also a mass media consumer. I have a TV set in my room. The culture programmes like “Kultura” are my mother’s favourite, my farther is a hockey fan, he likes to see sport programmes. I’m not keen on special programmes. I like to see a bit here and a bit there. Also, I can say I like programmes about travelling and traditions of another countries. Those programmes are educating and relaxing at the same time.

   Mass media or mass communications are the press, radio and television.
   Every day we read newspapers and magazines, listen to radio and watch TV. Nowadays there are so many newspapers and magazines, radio stations and TV channels that we have to be very -selective and give preference to some of them.
   What newspapers and magazines do I prefer to read? I like to read the following newspapers: "Komsomolskaya Pravda" ("Komsomol Truth"), "Nezavisimost" ("Independence"), "Argumenty i Pakty" ("Arguments and Facts"). Several periodicals are available in English. As far as newspapers are concerned they may be daily, or weekly. Magazines may be weekly, monthly and quarterly. The newspapers and magazines I read are the most readable and have a large readership or circulation. For example, "Argumenty i Fakty" has a circulation of more than 23 000 000. It is the largest in the world. The newspapers contain and give coverage of local, home and foreign affairs. Their publications deal with very burning problems of our. history, latest events and forecasts for future. They also touch upon cultural, sport news. I like the way they present different points of view, approaches to the problems. My parents and I subscribe to some periodicals, so we are subscribers. We buy some of newspapers and magazines in a kiosk.
   I often listen to radio, especially in the morning before I leave for school. I prefer to listen to "Mayak" ("Lighthouse") programm. They broadcast much news and music. I like to listen to weekend programmes, some of them are very amusing and entertaining. As to the TV, we have 4 channels. I prefer to watch youth programmes. In addition I like to see interesting films. They might be feature, adventure, scientific, horror, cartoon and other films.
   I enjoy seeing Walt Disney's cartoons. Now and then I like to see the programme "Love at First Sight". It is an enjoyable and entertaining one.
   Questions:
   1. What do we read every day?
   2. Why do we have to be very selective nowadays?
   3. What do the newspapers contain and give?
   4. What do radio programmes broadcast?
   5. Where do you buy newspapers?
   6. Which programmes do you prefer to watch?

   Mass media are one of the most characteristic features of modern civilization. People are united into one global community with the help of mass media. People can learn about what is happening in the world very fast using mass media. The mass media include newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
   The earliest kind of mass media was newspaper. The first newspaper was Roman handwritten newssheet called "Acta Diurna" started in 59 B.C. Magazines appeared in 1700's. They developed from newspapers and booksellers' catalogs. Radio and TV appeared only in this century.
   The most exciting and entertaining kind of mass media is television. It brings moving pictures and sounds directly to people's homes. So one can see events in faraway places just sitting in his or her chair.
   Radio is widespread for its portability. It means that radios can easily be carried around. People like listening to the radio on the beach or picnic, while driving a car or just walking down the street. The main kind of radio entertain- ment is music.
   Newspapers can present and comment on the news in much detail in comparison to radio and TV newscasts. News- papers can cover much more events and news.
   Magazines do not focus on daily, rapidly changing events. They provide more profound analysis of events of proceeding week. Magazines are designed to be kept for a longer time so they have cover and binding and are printed on better paper.
   Questions:
   1. What kinds of mass media do you know?
   2. What was the earliest kind of mass media?
   3. Why is the television so exciting?
   4. What is the reason for widespread use of radios?
   5. What advantages do newspapers have over the other kinds of mass media?
   6. What is the difference between a newspaper and a magazine?