Reading is a way to get better knowledge of one’s own experiences and it can be an exciting journey to self-discovery. Reading transfers experiences to the individual so that the reader may expand one’s horizons, identify, extend and intensify his or her interest and gain deeper understanding of the world. News paper is also an important source of information for all and brings news of daily happenings of the world. In this study an attempt has been made to study the newspaper reading habits among postgraduate students of Karnatak University, Dharwad.

Keywords:   Newspaper reading habits  news seeking  newspapers  information seeking

When we think of newspapers, we think of them as bringing us news, when we think of news we think of what’s happening currently around us. This is a totally inadequate description of news as well as newspapers. A newspaper is not only a source of information, it’s a storehouse of information. Reading newspaper daily is one of the best ways to keep up to date with the ever advancing world. All the important news and events of the world are brought to our doorstep by the newspapers. Newspapers bring us a selection of the news from around the world. There is news from the parliament which provides information with regard to decisions affecting the country. News from the world comes through reporters for local newspapers stations abroad or through news agencies in different countries. Newspapers can also act as a forum for the readers and writers to express their ideas and views on various aspects. Thus reading newspapers is essential for young learners to be more responsive and enlightened citizens. But unfortunately, many students of our country do not have easy access to newspapers. Modern societies rely on the media of which newspapers are an important component to disseminate current and vital information.

The study explores the newspaper reading habits among post-graduate (P.G.) students of Karnatak University, Dharwad which covers students from social science, science, humanities, and arts streams for the academic year 2013-2014. Further, the study focuses on leading Kannada dailies such as Prajavani, Samyukta Karnataka, Vijayavani, Vijay Karnataka, Udayavani, Kannadaprabha and some of the English dailies include The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Times of India and Indian Express which are being subscribed in central library of Karnatak University, Dharwad.

Some of the objectives of this study are to:

(a) Find out the purpose of reading newspapers by P.G. students

(b) Know the time being devoted by P.G. students for reading newspapers

(c) Know the different areas of interests of P.G. students in newspapers

(d) Assess the extent of P.G. students depending on print newspapers other than internet, radio, television, and other mass media for news

(e) Find out the opinions of students towards reading newspapers

(f) Suggestions to promote newspapers reading habits among P.G. students

The work employs systematic, objective and quantitative research techniques using a well-structured questionnaire. This is a survey in which the sample was selected by means of random sampling to collect the data. Total 120 questionnaires were distributed among the P.G. students of all the disciplines of the university, out of which 98 were returned with a response rate of 81.66 %.

The information given by the P.G. students is analysed and presented.

Students were asked about the languages they know. It is observed that Kannada being regional language dominates with 94 (95.16 %) students. 80 (81.63 %) students know English language being medium of instruction. Hindi About 68 (69.39 %) know Hindi and 36 (36.73 %) students know other languages.

The students read newspapers in different places. Majority of the students i.e., 67 (65.51 %) read newspapers at hostels and 25 (24.49 %) of the students read newspapers at home and only 11 (10 %) read in the library.

96 (97.95 %) students read Kannada newspapers, while 36 (36.73 %) read English newspapers and 8 (8.16 %) students read Hindi newspapers.

Study was done to know how much time students devote for reading newspapers every day. 64 (65.31 %) students read newspapers for less than an hour while 28 (28.57 %) respondents spend 1 and ½ an hour. Followed by around 4 (4.08 %) devote two hours and only very few around 2 (2.04 %) spend more than two hours per day.

Majority of the students, i.e., 44 (44.90 %) depend on self subscription, while 36 (36.73 %) read at mess or hostel. Followed by 18 (18.37 %) students rely on libraries to read newspapers.

Table 1 reveals that the format/version of the newspaper preferred by the students. Most of the students i.e., 92 (93.88 %) prefer to read print version of newspapers and only 6 (6.12 %) prefer to read on internet.

Table 2 shows that the students choice of news for their reading in the newspapers. The highest number 78 (79.59 %) of students prefer educational news, followed by 64 (65.30 %) of the students prefer sports news, political news 52 (53.06 %), international news 50 (51.02 %), health related news 48 (48.97 %), sensational news 44 (44.89 %), editorial 42 (42.85 %), entertainment 38 (38.77 %), advertisement and business purpose 34 (34.69 %). Moreover, agriculture related news is preferred by only 32 (32.65 %) of respondents respectively. The least preferred part of news is letters by the readers’ portion, i.e., 16 (16.32 %).

Newspapers bring variety of news for its readers with wide coverage. 56 (57.14 %) discuss political matters, 52 (53.06 %) discuss about sports, 50 (51.02 %) discuss about job news, 44 (44.89 %) discuss about socio-economic factors, 28 (28.57 %) discuss about entertainment/sensational news and only 22 (22.45 %) discuss business and agricultural aspects respectively.

Newspapers are a vital source of information in enlightened societies, providing most recent information to readers. Newspapers serve various purposes for different categories of users. Students were asked about the various purposes of reading newspapers and they have given different reasons for reading newspapers. Table 3 expresses that majority of the respondents, i.e., 78 (79.59 %) read newspaper to obtain information while 56 (57.14 %) of the respondents read newspaper for general knowledge and 50 (51.02 %) of the respondents read for educational purpose. The least number of respondents, i.e., 10 (10.20 %) read newspaper as it is their as usual task of the day, as a leisure activity and also for getting various scholarship information respectively.

Most of the respondents i.e., 66 (67.35 %) read newspapers in the morning, while 26 (26.53 %) of respondents read during any time of the day, 4 (4.08 %) of the students read in the evening and only 2 (2.04 %) read in the afternoon.

Majority of the respondents, i.e., 76 (77.55 %) feel that time is a major constraint as they don’t get time to read the newspapers, while 22 (22.45 %) feel non-availability of newspapers at the right time and place.

The rapid growth of information and communication technology (ICT) has led to the wide spread use of internet in almost all the daily affairs of human life. Using internet people can access to the newspapers everywhere. In the study, it was noticed that 30 (30.61 %) students access internet for reading online newspapers, while 68 (69.39 %) respondents don’t read newspapers online.

The role of newspapers in improving the language and communication skills was analysed. 62 (63.27 %) are of the opinion that they agree newspaper reading plays an important role in improving their language and communication skills, while 36 (36.73 %) of the students strongly agree with the same.

With the advantage of ICT, there are varieties of source of news. Here an attempt has been made to know which source of news students feel more effective. Table 4 reveals that majority of the students i.e., 66 (67.34 %) believe newspapers are effective source of news, 58 (59.18 %) of the respondents believe television, 22 (22.44 %) believe news magazines, and 16 (16.32 %) with the opinion that radio is the effective source of news.

The study found that very less number of students, i.e., 22 (22.45 %) are accessing internet to read newspapers on their mobile, while majority of the students, i.e., 77.55 % don’t read newspapers on their mobile. Table 5 shows that the different purposes of using internet on their mobile. The majority of respondents using internet for the purpose of general information, i.e., 30 (30.61 %), while 26 (26.53 %) of the respondents use internet for the purpose of social networks, 22.44 % of the respondents use internet for entertainment, followed by 10.20 % of the respondents use for news channels.

Table 6 reveals that role of newspaper reading in student’s career. 69.38 % respondents agree that newspapers help in improving the language, communication skills and vocabulary etc. while 53.06 % respondents agree that newspapers play vital role in keeping abreast with the latest developments in their respective field and 48.97 % of respondents feel that through newspapers they come to know about current affairs of the society and socio-economic issues at national as well as international level.

It is found that majority of the students i.e., 97.95 % read Kannada newspapers and most of them (65.51 %) read newspapers at hostels. 65.31 % students spend less than an hour a day for reading newspaper and only 2 students spend more than 2 hours. 44.90 % of students are self subscribers of the newspapers and the number of students who access to the newspapers in library is marginal i.e., 18.37 %. In this digital environment, almost all the students seem to be tech savvy, but 93.88 % of the students prefer print news papers and only 6 student read newspaper on internet.

The study shows that 79.59 % of students prefer education-related news other than entertainment, sports, etc., while at the same time it is found that 79.59 % read newspaper to obtain information for their career development. With regard to the contents of different parts of the paper, 53.06 % feel that editorial is more informative. Most of the users i.e., 67.35 % find morning is convenient time for reading newspapers and 77.55 % of the students feel that time is major constraint for reading newspapers. Majority of the respondents (63.27 %) agree that newspapers reading improve the language and communication skills. Further, 67.34 % and 59.18 % respondents feel that news papers and television are effective source of news, respectively.

On data analysis and opinion given by the respondents, some important suggestions have been made, which will help in promoting the newspaper reading habits among P.G. students of Karnatak University Dharwad.

(a) University library should increase subscription of the newspapers and inspire the students to make use of newspapers in the library through user education programmes.

(b) The awareness about the importance of newspaper reading and about sections of newspapers must be created among P.G. students which will help them to keep update with current happenings around the world.

(c) Awareness has to be created on the use of online newspapers, which may ultimately helps for the cause of environmental protection.

(d) With so many news portals available online, students must be encouraged to prefer news portals for getting instant news of their interest.

(e) Majority of the students are not aware of news portals. Therefore libraries should promote the use of different news portals among library users by creating awareness through orientation programmes.

As it is well known that, reading is an important activity in the process of learning, which can shape good personality, ideas, right thinking and brings change in attitude of individuals. News papers particularly are the prime conveyors of current information to the people. In spite of the availability of several other sources of news like books, magazines (Print media), radio, television channels, telephone, electronic media, etc. yet newspapers continued to dominate as the main channel of current information. Newspapers not only provide current news, they also contain thought-provoking and informative articles, features, editorial and sub-editorials, analysis and observations. In today’s highly competitive world, newspapers can equip students with necessary information, knowledge and insights which will give them the much needed edge for being successful not only for competitive examinations or job interviews, but also in their professional and social life. Therefore, newspapers are essential for university students.

This study reveals that most of the P.G. students are in the habit of reading newspapers but still they are not aware of the advantage of online newspapers and news portals which can spontaneously update their knowledge by providing latest and nascent information. Therefore, the library professionals must create more awareness of such news sources and libraries must ensure that the students have access to wide variety of newspapers, so as to enable the students to read their preferred newspapers and enhance their knowledge base which can help them to be more productive in their academics and lead a responsible life in the society.

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Dr C. Krishnamurthy is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science, Karnataka University, Dharwad since 2008. He has also worked as University Assistant Librarian at Mangalore University Library, Mangalore during 2002-2003 and Karnataka University Library, Dharwad during 2003-2008. He has published more than 40 research papers in various national, international journals and conference proceedings. His areas of interest are: Information sources, academic library system, information processing & retrieval, and public library system.

Mr Veeresh H. Awari has obtained his MLISc in 2009 and is presently working as Junior Research Fellow in the Department of Library and Information Science, Karnataka University, Dharwad. He has published more than 20 research articles in various conference proceedings and journals. His areas of interest are: Information literacy, information seeking behaviour, information sources and services, and digital library.