Evaluation of contribution of local newspapers to lifelong learning (Example of bartın province)

In this study, while the definition of informal education, which displays the main features of lifelong learning, is made, it is also attempted to identify the contributions of the local newspapers, through which the society can reach its own unique and necessary information, to the lifelong learning of their readers. In the research, within this scope, it was aimed to evaluate the contributions of local newspapers to lifelong learning according to the opinions of the local newspaper readers in Bartın Province in Turkey. Among the mixed research patterns, converging parallel pattern was used in the research. The screening model was used in the quantitative research phase, and the phenomenological pattern was used in the qualitative research phase. As a result of the research, according to the opinions of the readers, about the contributions of local newspapers to life-long learning were found to be significantly different to gender, educational status, title and institution, local newspaper reading frequency and duration variables.In the study, it was concluded that the local newspapers were able to contribute to their readers’ lifelong learning through the availability of limited opportunities and access to public institutions and employees, even at the point of insufficient education, health, environment, socio-cultural life, employment and labor news. To make more news in local newspapers on education, health, socio-cultural, environment and labor market and employment may contribute to lifelong learning. © 2018 by authors, all rights reserved