Ask Difference

Newspaper vs. Journal — What's the Difference?

By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
Newspapers focus on daily news and current events with a broad audience appeal, while journals are periodicals dedicated to specialized academic research.
Newspaper vs. Journal — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Newspaper and Journal

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Key Differences

Newspapers are designed for daily or weekly consumption, offering up-to-date news, editorials, and features on a wide variety of topics. Journals, on the other hand, are published less frequently, often monthly or quarterly, and focus on original research and reviews in specific academic or professional fields.
While newspapers are typically written for the general public and aim to be accessible and engaging, journals are targeted at specialists or academics and tend to use technical language and a more formal tone.
Newspapers often include a mixture of news, opinion, entertainment, and advertisements. Whereas journals are predominantly composed of research articles, reviews, and scholarly discussions, with little to no advertising.
The content in newspapers is usually the work of professional journalists and news staff, who cover a broad range of topics from politics to sports. On the other hand, journal articles are primarily written by researchers and experts in a particular field, contributing their findings and insights.
Newspapers are crucial for providing the general public with timely information and commentary on current events and societal issues. In contrast, journals contribute to the academic community by disseminating detailed studies and advancements within specific disciplines.
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Comparison Chart

Audience

General public
Academics, professionals in specific fields

Frequency

Daily or weekly
Monthly, quarterly, or annual

Content Type

News, opinion, entertainment, ads
Research articles, reviews, academic papers

Language

Simple, accessible
Technical, specialized

Purpose

Inform on current events, entertain
Disseminate research, advance knowledge

Compare with Definitions

Newspaper

Often serves as a primary source of information on current events for the general public.
She reads the newspaper every morning to stay updated on global events.

Journal

Often requires a subscription or institutional access to read.
The university provides access to various academic journals.

Newspaper

Includes various sections like sports, business, and entertainment.
The sports section of the newspaper provides the latest updates on football.

Journal

Contains peer-reviewed articles written by experts in the field.
Her study was accepted by a renowned scientific journal.

Newspaper

Can be broadsheet or tabloid, differentiated by size and, often, content focus.
Broadsheet newspapers often provide more in-depth analysis than tabloids.

Journal

Serves as a forum for the introduction and presentation of new research.
The journal regularly features breakthroughs in biotechnology.

Newspaper

A publication printed and distributed daily or weekly containing news, feature articles, and advertising.
The local newspaper covers both global and community news.

Journal

Can be specialized, such as medical, engineering, or educational journals.
He cited several articles from an engineering journal for his research paper.

Newspaper

Utilizes journalists and reporters to cover a wide range of topics.
The newspaper's journalists reported live from the scene of the incident.

Journal

A periodic publication focused on a specific academic or professional field.
The latest medical advances were published in the journal.

Newspaper

A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide variety of fields such as politics, business, sports and art, and often include materials such as opinion columns, weather forecasts, reviews of local services, obituaries, birth notices, crosswords, editorial cartoons, comic strips, and advice columns.

Journal

A personal record of occurrences, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis; a diary.

Newspaper

A publication, usually issued daily or weekly, containing current news, editorials, feature articles, and usually advertising.

Journal

An official record of daily proceedings, as of a legislative body.

Newspaper

See newsprint.

Journal

(Nautical) A ship's log.

Newspaper

(countable) A publication, usually published daily or weekly and usually printed on cheap, low-quality paper, containing news and other articles.

Journal

A daybook.

Newspaper

A quantity of or one of the types of paper on which newspapers are printed.

Journal

A book of original entry in a double-entry system, listing all transactions and indicating the accounts to which they belong.

Newspaper

(transitive) To cover with newspaper.
She newspapered one end of the room before painting the bookcase.

Journal

A newspaper.

Newspaper

To engage in the business of journalism
His newspapered his way through the South on the sports beat, avoiding dry towns.

Journal

A periodical presenting articles on a particular subject
A medical journal.

Newspaper

To harass somebody through newspaper articles.
He got newspapered out of public life.

Journal

The part of a machine shaft or axle supported by a bearing.

Newspaper

A sheet of paper printed and distributed, at stated intervals, for conveying intelligence of passing events, advocating opinions, etc.; a public print that circulates news, advertisements, proceedings of legislative bodies, public announcements, etc.

Journal

To write one's observations or thoughts in a journal
Spent all day journaling about the trip.

Newspaper

A daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements;
He read his newspaper at breakfast

Journal

A diary or daily record of a person, organization, vessel etc.; daybook.

Newspaper

A business firm that publishes newspapers;
Murdoch owns many newspapers

Journal

A newspaper or magazine dealing with a particular subject.
The university's biology department subscribes to half a dozen academic journals.

Newspaper

A newspaper as a physical object;
When it began to rain he covered his head with a newspaper

Journal

(accounting) A chronological record of payments or receipts.

Newspaper

Cheap paper made from wood pulp and used for printing newspapers;
They used bales of newspaper every day

Journal

(accounting) A general journal.

Journal

(computing) A chronological record of changes made to a database or other system; along with a backup or image copy that allows recovery after a failure or reinstatement to a previous time; a log.

Journal

(engineering) The part of a shaft or axle that rests on bearings.

Journal

To archive or record something.

Journal

To scrapbook.

Journal

To insert (a shaft, etc.) in a journal bearing.

Journal

(obsolete) Daily.

Journal

Daily; diurnal.
Whiles from their journal labors they did rest.

Journal

A diary; an account of daily transactions and events.

Journal

That which has occurred in a day; a day's work or travel; a day's journey.

Journal

That portion of a rotating piece, as a shaft, axle, spindle, etc., which turns in a bearing or box. See Illust. of Axle box.

Journal

A daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

Journal

A periodical dedicated to a particular subject;
He reads the medical journals

Journal

A ledger in which transactions have been recorded as they occurred

Journal

A record book as a physical object

Journal

The part of the axle contained by a bearing

Common Curiosities

What is the main purpose of a newspaper?

Newspapers primarily aim to inform the public about current events and news locally and globally.

Can anyone write for a journal?

Contributors to journals are usually researchers or experts in the field, and their work is often peer-reviewed before publication.

How often are journals published?

Journals are typically published on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.

Are newspapers reliable sources of information?

While newspapers strive to report accurately, they can contain biases; it's important to consider multiple sources for a comprehensive view.

What kinds of topics do journals cover?

Journals focus on specific academic or professional fields, such as medicine, technology, or law.

What is the difference in writing style between newspapers and journals?

Newspapers use a straightforward, accessible style, while journals use a technical, detailed approach.

Do newspapers have advertisements?

Yes, newspapers often contain a significant amount of advertising.

Why do people read newspapers?

People read newspapers to stay informed about various topics, including current events, economy, and entertainment.

Are journal articles accessible to the general public?

Journal articles are typically behind paywalls and are more accessible to university members or through library subscriptions.

What role do journals play in academia?

Journals are essential for sharing new research and theories within the academic community.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

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