There are several characteristics that newspapers have in common: they are published Periodically, usually at !short regular intervals not exceeding a weak; they are meant to appeal to a wide spectrum of the general public; they usually contain advertisements,, and; they purpose is to convey news or advocate opinions. Newspapers may also be defined in state law to identify the types of publications in which legal notices may be published. Other statutes that may contain defenitions regarding newspapers include those relating to taxation, licensing. libel, antitrust, regulation of news Racks, postal rates, and regulation of other content. Magazines are commonly understood to be synonymous with the term “periodical. Each issue of a periodical contains a vareity of original articles by different authors.