For complete information, there is no substitute for a newspaper. Television, radio and the Internet can give the news quickly. Understanding of the news usually comes, however, with the longer, more thoughtful appraisal of facts and details found only in newspaper accounts.

Young readers quickly learn that a newspaper is more than news. It is feature articles that tell them of interesting people and activities in the community. Advice columns may provide information of value. Advertisements serve as entertainment guides and provide style, price and utility information concerning items they are interested in buying.

Unlike the daily newspaper, the weekly newspaper provides a dimension of local news and the opportunity to relate to the student's own life as well as the lives of family and neighbors. The closer to home a story is, the more motivation is provided to read that story. A student in your town is more apt to find his or her name in your newspaper than in a larger regional daily!

The following have been noted as specific strengths for weekly and community newspapers:

• The weekly or community newspaper can, in most cases, offer more space to local school news, features and photos because of its relationship to the community.
• Many classrooms use only one delivery of newspaper per week. A daily newspaper used for more than one day is an "old" newspaper. A weekly newspaper is the current issue for the entire week!
• Content of the weekly or community newspaper is more local and, therefore, less overwhelming to students. It covers their community, not the whole world. Community news is important to the functioning of our democracy because most citizen involvement occurs at the local level.
• Many community newspapers serve an area including only one or two school systems. A staff person at the newspaper may work closely with local educators.
• The community newspaper is geographically closer to its reading audience and easily accessible for plant tours by students if you use your own printing facilities. Even if you print at another facility, students can visit the newspaper office.
• Local sports coverage is more detailed in the local weekly or community newspaper. Students know and relate to local athletes.
• The editor and staff of a weekly or community newspaper are usually more accessible to the public and to the local schools.
• A weekly or community newspaper can offer several days of lead-time to plan educational activities based on the content of each issue.
• A combination of peak and slack days of activity at a community newspaper makes staff members more available as a resource.
  
  - National Newspaper Association of America Foundation