Newspaper vs. Rag — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 28, 2024
A newspaper is a publication for news, information, and analysis, while a rag is often slang for a low-quality or sensational newspaper.
Difference Between Newspaper and Rag
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A newspaper is recognized for its role in disseminating current events, news, and analysis on a daily or weekly basis. It's often associated with professionalism and reliability in journalism. On the other hand, the term "rag" is colloquially used to describe a newspaper that prioritizes sensationalism over factual reporting, typically lacking in journalistic integrity.
Newspapers often feature sections dedicated to politics, economy, sports, and culture, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of global and local events. Conversely, rags might focus more on celebrity gossip, scandal, and entertainment, sometimes at the expense of serious news coverage.
While newspapers can be digital or print, offering in-depth analysis and opinion pieces by respected writers, rags are usually found in print, appealing to a reader base interested in lighter, often more sensational content. This distinction highlights the difference in audience engagement and content depth between the two.
The production quality of newspapers is generally high, with a focus on credibility and aesthetic appeal through layout and design. Rags, however, may prioritize cost-saving measures over production quality, resulting in a less polished appearance.
Newspapers are subject to strict journalistic standards and ethics, ensuring accuracy and accountability in reporting. In contrast, rags might not adhere as closely to these standards, with a greater emphasis on attracting readers through provocative headlines and stories.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To inform and analyze current events in a professional manner
To entertain or sensationalize, often at the expense of depth
Content Focus
Broad, including politics, economy, sports, and culture
Narrow, often celebrity gossip and scandal
Format
Digital or print, with a structured layout
Primarily print, with a less formal layout
Audience
General public seeking comprehensive news coverage
Readers interested in entertainment and sensational content
Journalistic Standards
High, with adherence to ethical reporting
Variable, often lower with a focus on sensationalism
Compare with Definitions
Newspaper
A daily or weekly publication containing news, feature articles, and advertisements.
The New York Times is a globally respected newspaper.
Rag
Informal term for a low-quality newspaper, focusing on sensational news.
That rag has been criticized for inaccurate reporting.
Newspaper
An organization responsible for producing and disseminating printed news.
The newspaper hired several new reporters to expand its coverage.
Rag
A paper with a reputation for flashy headlines and little substance.
The latest issue of the rag was filled with exaggerated tales.
Newspaper
A source for local, national, and international news.
People rely on the newspaper for up-to-date information on global events.
Rag
A publication known for gossip and scandal rather than serious journalism.
The rag featured another story on celebrity breakups.
Newspaper
An educational resource for readers through in-depth analyses and reports.
The newspaper's investigative series educated the public on financial fraud.
Rag
A derogatory term for publications deemed untrustworthy.
Calling it a rag, he dismissed the article's claims.
Newspaper
A medium for public opinion and debate through editorials.
The newspaper's editorial on climate policy sparked widespread discussion.
Rag
A newspaper, typically one regarded as being of low quality
The local rag
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.
Rag
An outlet for entertainment news, often at the expense of accuracy.
The rag is popular for its coverage of high-profile parties.
Newspaper
A publication, usually issued daily or weekly, containing current news, editorials, feature articles, and usually advertising.
Rag
A piece of old cloth, especially one torn from a larger piece, used typically for cleaning things
A piece of rag
He wiped his hands on an oily rag
Newspaper
See newsprint.
Rag
A herd of colts
A rag of colts roamed the moorland
Newspaper
(countable) A publication, usually published daily or weekly and usually printed on cheap, low-quality paper, containing news and other articles.
Rag
A programme of stunts, parades, and other entertainments organized by students to raise money for charity
Rag week
Newspaper
A quantity of or one of the types of paper on which newspapers are printed.
Rag
A large coarse roofing slate.
Newspaper
(transitive) To cover with newspaper.
She newspapered one end of the room before painting the bookcase.
Rag
A hard, coarse sedimentary rock that can be broken into thick slabs.
Newspaper
To engage in the business of journalism
His newspapered his way through the South on the sports beat, avoiding dry towns.
Rag
A ragtime composition or tune.
Newspaper
To harass somebody through newspaper articles.
He got newspapered out of public life.
Rag
Variant of raga
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.
Rag
Give a decorative effect to (a painted surface) by applying paint, typically of a different colour, with a rag
The background walls have been stippled above the dado rail and ragged below
Newspaper
A daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements;
He read his newspaper at breakfast
Rag
Make fun of (someone) in a boisterous manner
He ragged me about not smoking or drinking
Despite the way I sometimes rag her, she is my sister
Newspaper
A business firm that publishes newspapers;
Murdoch owns many newspapers
Rag
Rebuke severely
I ragged a restaurant last week for mangling Key lime pie
Newspaper
A newspaper as a physical object;
When it began to rain he covered his head with a newspaper
Rag
Keep possession of (the puck) by skilful stick-handling and avoidance of opponents, so as to waste time
Players ragged the puck in mid-ice to kill off penalties
Newspaper
Cheap paper made from wood pulp and used for printing newspapers;
They used bales of newspaper every day
Rag
A scrap of cloth.
Rag
A piece of cloth used for cleaning, washing, or dusting.
Rag
Rags Threadbare or tattered clothing.
Rag
Cloth converted to pulp for making paper.
Rag
A scrap; a fragment.
Rag
(Slang) A newspaper, especially one specializing in sensationalism or gossip.
Rag
The stringy central portion and membranous walls of a citrus fruit.
Rag
A practical joke; a prank.
Rag
A roofing slate with one rough surface.
Rag
Chiefly British A coarsely textured rock.
Rag
A piece written in ragtime.
Rag
To criticize or scold (someone).
Rag
To criticize or complain about (something).
Rag
To tease or taunt (someone).
Rag
Chiefly British To play a joke on.
Rag
(Sports) In ice hockey, to maintain possession of (the puck) by outmaneuvering opposing players, especially so as to kill a penalty.
Rag
To compose or play (a piece) in ragtime.
Rag
(in the plural) Tattered clothes.
Rag
A piece of old cloth, especially one used for cleaning, patching, etc.; a tattered piece of cloth; a shred or tatter.
Rag
A shabby, beggarly fellow; a ragamuffin.
Rag
A ragged edge in metalworking.
Rag
A sail, or any piece of canvas.
Rag
Sanitary napkins, pads, or other materials used to absorb menstrual discharge.
Rag
A newspaper or magazine, especially one whose journalism is considered to be of poor quality.
Fish wrap
Rag
(poker) A poor, low-ranking kicker.
I have ace-four on my hand. In other words, I have ace-rag.
Rag
A curtain of various kinds.
Rag
(dated) A person suffering from exhaustion or lack of energy.
Rag
A coarse kind of rock, somewhat cellular in texture; ragstone.
Rag
(dated) A prank or practical joke.
Rag
A society run by university students for the purpose of charitable fundraising.
Rag
An informal dance party featuring music played by African-American string bands.
Rag
A ragtime song, dance or piece of music.
Rag
(transitive) To decorate (a wall, etc.) by applying paint with a rag.
Rag
(intransitive) To become tattered.
Rag
To break (ore) into lumps for sorting.
Rag
To cut or dress roughly, as a grindstone.
Rag
To scold or tell off; to torment; to banter.
Rag
To drive a car or another vehicle in a hard, fast or unsympathetic manner.
Rag
To tease or torment, especially at a university; to bully, to haze.
Rag
To play or compose (a piece, melody, etc.) in syncopated time.
Rag
To dance to ragtime music.
Rag
To add syncopation (to a tune) and thereby make it appropriate for a ragtime song.
Rag
To scold or rail at; to rate; to tease; to torment; to banter.
Rag
To become tattered.
Rag
To break (ore) into lumps for sorting.
Rag
To cut or dress roughly, as a grindstone.
Rag
To play or compose (a piece, melody, etc.) in syncopated time.
Rag
To dance to ragtime music, esp. in some manner considered indecorous.
Rag
A piece of cloth torn off; a tattered piece of cloth; a shred; a tatter; a fragment.
Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, tossed,And fluttered into rags.
Not having otherwise any rag of legality to cover the shame of their cruelty.
Rag
Hence, mean or tattered attire; worn-out dress.
And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.
Rag
A shabby, beggarly fellow; a ragamuffin.
The other zealous rag is the compositor.
Upon the proclamation, they all came in, both tag and rag.
Rag
A coarse kind of rock, somewhat cellular in texture.
Rag
A ragged edge.
Rag
A sail, or any piece of canvas.
Our ship was a clipper with every rag set.
Rag
A small piece of cloth or paper
Rag
A week at British universities during which side-shows and processions of floats are organized to raise money for charities
Rag
Music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano)
Rag
Newspaper with half-size pages
Rag
A boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)
Rag
Treat cruelly;
The children tormented the stuttering teacher
Rag
Cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations;
Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
Rag
Play in ragtime;
Rag that old tune
Rag
Harass with persistent criticism or carping;
The children teased the new teacher
Don't ride me so hard over my failure
His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie
Rag
Censure severely or angrily;
The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
Rag
Break into lumps before sorting;
Rag ore
Common Curiosities
Do newspapers and rags serve different audiences?
Yes, newspapers target readers interested in comprehensive news coverage, while rags appeal to those looking for entertainment and sensational stories.
Can a reputable newspaper ever be called a rag?
While subjective opinions vary, the term "rag" is generally reserved for publications with a consistent history of prioritizing sensationalism over factual accuracy.
How has the rise of digital media affected newspapers and rags?
Digital media has expanded the reach and immediacy of both, though newspapers have more prominently embraced digital formats to maintain relevance and expand their audience.
Can a publication be both a newspaper and a rag?
A publication's classification depends on its overall content and journalistic approach, making it difficult for it to be both simultaneously in the traditional sense.
How do journalistic standards differ between newspapers and rags?
Newspapers adhere to higher journalistic standards, emphasizing accuracy and ethics, while rags may prioritize sensationalism over strict adherence to these standards.
What distinguishes a newspaper from a rag?
A newspaper is known for reliable news and analysis, whereas a rag focuses on sensationalism and entertainment, often compromising journalistic integrity.
Why do some people prefer reading rags?
Some readers prefer the entertainment value, lighter content, and sensational stories found in rags over the in-depth analysis of newspapers.
Are all sensational publications considered rags?
Not necessarily. The context and consistency of the content, along with public perception, play a role in whether a publication is labeled a rag.
Is the content in a rag always false?
Not always. While rags may emphasize sensational content, not all information published is false; however, it's often presented in a provocative or exaggerated manner.
Do newspapers and rags use different types of headlines?
Yes, newspapers typically use headlines that are informative and direct, while rags often opt for sensational, provocative headlines to attract attention.
Can digital platforms be considered rags?
Digital platforms that prioritize sensational content over factual reporting can be likened to rags, though the term traditionally applies to print publications.
How important are visuals in newspapers and rags?
Both may use visuals to complement their content, but rags might rely more on eye-catching images and sensational visuals to engage readers.
Are rags cheaper than newspapers?
Rags might be priced lower as a strategy to attract their target audience, focusing on volume sales over content quality.
How do newspapers and rags report on celebrities?
Newspapers may cover celebrity news within a broader context of cultural reporting, while rags often focus on gossip, scandal, and sensational stories.
Is it possible for rags to become more like traditional newspapers?
While possible, a significant shift in editorial policy, content focus, and adherence to journalistic standards would be required.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
