Each line has six sets of dots and dashes corresponding to the profile of a capital letter when sliced horizontally at the top, middle, and bottom followed by vertically at the left, middle, and right:
T - . . . | . A . - .. . : . B - - - | ⋮ : L . . - | . . O . .. . . : . I - . - : | : D - .. - | : . S . . . : ⋮ :
The eight letters spell the answer, TABLOIDS.