Newspaper readers are on the rise

Despite the fact that the common people have access to the top integrated technology including mobile phone, internet and cable television to get themselves acquainted about the updated information from around the globe, newspaper reading early in the morning has not become lacklustre. Be it a middle aged office-going man, a worker on his way to the workplace or a college student going to his institution, they are often seen, creating a mob around the newspapers stalls that offer something to everyone. Standing like penguins during morning hours, majority of these wish to have a quick look, at least, at the front page of their favourite newspaper or whatever is approachable to them or is easy to read. These papers are hanging at the stalls, sometimes on the bicycle or motorcycle but mostly on makeshift stalls and often under a tree.
Pakistan Today contacted a few stallholders around the city. Shahzad Ahmed, who is running a newspaper stall at F/8 Markaz said there were many kind of readers, like ordinary readers, ‘doctors’ and the sponge, adding that the number of sponge was increasing with each passing day. Elaborating the category of readers, Shahzad said ordinary readers were those who purchased one newspaper of their choice and left the stall. “The people under the category of ‘doctors’ are those, who while purchasing one newspaper read many others and go through the paper in between the lines; that is why they are given the name of doctors,” Shahzad said with a smile on his face.
According to Shahzad, the sponges are those who read newspapers without spending money. “It is not because of financial constraints everyone is suffering with. These people have developed a habit not to spend money at least for buying a newspaper. They not only annoy the newspaper sellers but also disturbs our business, as many of regular buyers avoid to come because of a mob-like environment created by these ‘free readers’,” Shahzad said annoyingly.
He said these readers often were found in old book and newspaper stalls, and at the evening time at a nearby in a barber shop to ‘gain updated information’. “Some government officials come to our stalls on their official green plated vehicle and carry the newspaper away quickly.” Shahzad said those living near busy markets often did not subscribe newspapers on a monthly basis and instead preferred to purchase from nearby stalls where they had a look and chance to read other newspapers free of cost as well. “Though, cable TV, internet offering e-papers and other medium have left some affect on newspapers circulation in general but the sale of newspapers at stalls is increasing day by day,” Shahzad added.
Talking to Pakistan Today Ismail Khan, an aged reader who is a frequent visitor of Shahzad’s stall, said money was not a problem for him, but visiting a newspaper stall and having look at all newspapers’ headline had a taste of its own. When asked whether he possessed a TV set, his reply was affirmative, adding that he also had internet but newspaper was the staple diet for him. “It’s like having a meal for me. As one cannot forget having a meal, it is impossible for him not to read the newspaper.” “Though, the electronic media is more advanced in passing on the news within few seconds, having a newspaper in my hand gives me an everlasting pleasure,” he said.
He said one good reason for the liking was that the newspapers contained detailed in-depth stories with analysis. “Columns, articles and features are something one does not find on television,” Khan said. Arshad Abbasi, a stall holder at Aabpara Market, said newspaper reading was one of the best ways to keep up to date with the ever-changing world. “All the important news and events of the world are brought to us by the newspapers,” he said. Abbasi said though he was not acquainted with English yet he tried to read and learn the language through these papers. “Reading newspapers have other benefits as well. Reading English daily can enrich the vocabulary of an individual and everyone can learn it, the way I am doing,” he said while mentioning the exercise as a must for young learners. “Unfortunately, mobile phone, internet and cable TV have harmed our society because of its wrong handling or misuse but newspaper is perhaps the only thing that can be effectively used whole day,” he said. Abbasi suggested that newspaper reading should be developed as a habit during the studies.