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| A screen shot of the email to a non-newspaper reader |
I was originally just going to hand people questionnaires but in some cases it seemed easier to just talk to people. I also conducted a few interviews and sent questions out through email to a couple of people. I got some varied answers between each category of interviewee (non newspaper and newspaper readers) however, participants within the category had similar answers, especially the non-newspaper readers... the interviews for them weren't as successful as I would have hoped. Here, I'm going to present the responses from each participant and analyse them.
Questions for those who read newspapers
1. Which newspapers do you tend to read, national or local?
Popular national papers: Independent, Daily Mail, Express
Popular local papers: The Spark, The Big Issue, The Mercury, The Evening Post
These answers indicate that people enjoy more intelligent papers, and that the Mercury and the Evening Post are read because they need to know what is going on near them, rather than for a comprehensive read. Perhaps there is a gap in the market for intelligent LOCAL papers.
These answers indicate that people enjoy more intelligent papers, and that the Mercury and the Evening Post are read because they need to know what is going on near them, rather than for a comprehensive read. Perhaps there is a gap in the market for intelligent LOCAL papers.
2. How much of it do you read?
Most stated that they read everything apart from sports. One person stated that they particularly like the gardening and human rights pieces in The Spark.
This supports the idea that the audience for a paper is a mass demographic, and that there are little niches depending on factors such as gender, social standing, views, age, et cetera. The fact that somebody enjoys The Spark, a local ecologically concerned paper should influence some of my decisions when planning my paper.
This supports the idea that the audience for a paper is a mass demographic, and that there are little niches depending on factors such as gender, social standing, views, age, et cetera. The fact that somebody enjoys The Spark, a local ecologically concerned paper should influence some of my decisions when planning my paper.
3. Which papers would you never read?
Popular answers: The Sun, The Telegraph, Portishead People, The News of the World
Simply put; people don't like these papers, most likely from political standing and the type of journalism, we've already seen that most of the interviewees are mid to left wing. Additionally, over the recent phone hacking scandal, the whole of News International has been shut down, either this is a joke or they genuinely don't want to read it anymore after finding out the details of their journalism. Alternately, they may never had read it before anyway.
Simply put; people don't like these papers, most likely from political standing and the type of journalism, we've already seen that most of the interviewees are mid to left wing. Additionally, over the recent phone hacking scandal, the whole of News International has been shut down, either this is a joke or they genuinely don't want to read it anymore after finding out the details of their journalism. Alternately, they may never had read it before anyway.
4. Which supplements do you enjoy?
Sunday Times supplement - especially fashion and home (this was from a female interviewee, so gender is obviously a contributing factor the this), additionally, they stated that they don't really look at local supplements except for the jobs or trading sections.
From my research, it seems that the Sunday Times has a very large span of coverage and that a lot of information is included in it, also, as it is a broadsheet, we can assume it had intelligent content. From the fact that they only look at certain things in the local paper, that there isn't much to interest them. Additionally, if looking at jobs, they either don't have a completely stable job already, that they're changing jobs, or that they have children who are looking for part time work. Looking at the trading section shows that they like a bargain, that they might be looking for a new car (indicating wealth OR good organisation for the future), or that they need a service, such as tuition or a white van man.
From my research, it seems that the Sunday Times has a very large span of coverage and that a lot of information is included in it, also, as it is a broadsheet, we can assume it had intelligent content. From the fact that they only look at certain things in the local paper, that there isn't much to interest them. Additionally, if looking at jobs, they either don't have a completely stable job already, that they're changing jobs, or that they have children who are looking for part time work. Looking at the trading section shows that they like a bargain, that they might be looking for a new car (indicating wealth OR good organisation for the future), or that they need a service, such as tuition or a white van man.
5. Which ads do you enjoy?
Ethical companies, holistic therapy groups, recreational groups, e.g - yoga. People also stated that ads for tuition, events and home help (for example - plasterers), were helpful.
This is a direct mirror of the participants' interests and needs.
This is a direct mirror of the participants' interests and needs.
6. Have you ever written any letters to the paper?
None of the respondents had ever written a letter to the paper. One did state however, that she may have sent one a long time ago, and one more interviewee said she thought about sending one about the state of schools and also the state of the police force.
This tells us that the ones who sent letters are either conscientious, or like making a fuss about nothing. Most likely the former.
This tells us that the ones who sent letters are either conscientious, or like making a fuss about nothing. Most likely the former.
7. Have you ever taken action about something because of a feature in the newspaper?
Most said no. Two stated that they had, one of them had written a letter to her MP about banning pesticides because of the dying bees. Another signed several petitions against Bio-Fuels.
Again, the two that had taken action are probably quite conscientious and care about the environment. Those who said no may have not been concerned, or they may not have found any articles about action against global warming or something similar.
8. How often do you buy/read newspapers?
Most stated national newspapers were bought and read twice a month, once or twice a week, local newspapers were also read. Most people stated that they could just go on the internet or, more commonly, watch the news.
9. What is the ideal price for a newspaper?
Most people stated under 50p, one participant said anything up to £2.
10. Have you ever sent photos, ads or puzzle results in to a paper?
One had sent a photo, two had sent puzzle results and several others stated that they have sent birthday greetings or obituaries. The rest said that they had never sent anything.
11. What type of layouts do you prefer?
Many said simple and not crowded, but with enough text to read. People also said that they liked it if the paper had colour, rather than being just black and white.
This will have a direct influence on my own paper
12. How much interaction do you have with your paper? For example, do you ever go on their website?
Most had not had very much interaction with their paper, most stated they would only go online if they needed to check the news or if there were something important or interesting to view, such as a petition.
Two participants stated that if there were a phone app then they would use that.
13. What would you want to see in a paper?
Top answers were; intelligence, humour, decent cartoons, a good layout.
14. What kind of ideology would you want a newspaper to have?
Answers include; honesty, integrity, open political views, not being bias to any one party, left wing views
15. Tell me some of your views.
The general consensus is that politicians are dishonest. Other answers include; liking the Green Party, that the government needs to take charge of stopping global warming and also focusing on our country before helping others. One person stated that immigration here should be similar to the points system in Australia.
16. Do you feel that there is a paper with the same views as you? Is there a gap in the market?
Most said yes and some claimed that The Independent was representative. Some said no, and that there is a gap in the market for a younger demographic.
Again, the two that had taken action are probably quite conscientious and care about the environment. Those who said no may have not been concerned, or they may not have found any articles about action against global warming or something similar.
8. How often do you buy/read newspapers?
Most stated national newspapers were bought and read twice a month, once or twice a week, local newspapers were also read. Most people stated that they could just go on the internet or, more commonly, watch the news.
9. What is the ideal price for a newspaper?
Most people stated under 50p, one participant said anything up to £2.
10. Have you ever sent photos, ads or puzzle results in to a paper?
One had sent a photo, two had sent puzzle results and several others stated that they have sent birthday greetings or obituaries. The rest said that they had never sent anything.
11. What type of layouts do you prefer?
Many said simple and not crowded, but with enough text to read. People also said that they liked it if the paper had colour, rather than being just black and white.
This will have a direct influence on my own paper
12. How much interaction do you have with your paper? For example, do you ever go on their website?
Most had not had very much interaction with their paper, most stated they would only go online if they needed to check the news or if there were something important or interesting to view, such as a petition.
Two participants stated that if there were a phone app then they would use that.
13. What would you want to see in a paper?
Top answers were; intelligence, humour, decent cartoons, a good layout.
14. What kind of ideology would you want a newspaper to have?
Answers include; honesty, integrity, open political views, not being bias to any one party, left wing views
15. Tell me some of your views.
The general consensus is that politicians are dishonest. Other answers include; liking the Green Party, that the government needs to take charge of stopping global warming and also focusing on our country before helping others. One person stated that immigration here should be similar to the points system in Australia.
16. Do you feel that there is a paper with the same views as you? Is there a gap in the market?
Most said yes and some claimed that The Independent was representative. Some said no, and that there is a gap in the market for a younger demographic.
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