Mass Media and Communications
Short Questions with answers
1. What are mass media?
Answer : Media that communicate with large audiences, like TV and newspapers.
2. Who invented the printing press?
Answer : Johann Gutenberg in 1440.
3. What was the role of radio during World War II?
Answer : It was used for propaganda by Allied forces.
4. What is the digital divide?
Answer : The gap between those with and without access to digital technology.
5. What does ‘Hum Log’ promote?
Answer : Gender equality, small families, and national integration.
6. What is infotainment?
Answer : A mix of information and entertainment.
7. When was colour TV introduced in India?
Answer : During the 1982 Asian Games.
8. What is the significance of ‘STAR Plus’ in Indian media?
Answer : It switched from English to Hindi programming in 1999.
9. What is the purpose of FM radio stations?
Answer : Entertainment through music and local programs.
10. What are vernacular newspapers?
Answer : Newspapers in local Indian languages.
11. Which was the first nationalist newspaper in India?
Answer : Sambad-Kaumudi by Raja Rammohun Roy.
12. What was the role of the nationalist press in colonial India?
Answer : It opposed colonial policies and supported independence.
13. What does SITE stand for?
Answer : Satellite Instructional Television Experiment.
14. How did the transistor revolution help radio?
Answer : Made radios cheaper and portable.
15. What type of programming does ‘Radio Mirchi’ offer?
Answer : Popular music and entertainment.
16. What is a soap opera?
Answer : A continuous serial story broadcast on TV or radio.
17. What was the first major soap opera in India?
Answer : Hum Log.
18. What is the main language for Indian TV channels?
Answer : Hindi, alongside regional languages.
19. What does TRAI regulate?
Answer : Telecommunications and broadcasting in India.
20. Why are FM channels growing in popularity?
Answer : They cater to local audiences with music and entertainment.
21. What are transnational TV channels?
Answer : Channels like Star TV and MTV operating across countries.
22. How did newspapers grow after 1980?
Answer : Automation and new printing technology improved circulation.
23. What is the significance of cable TV in India?
Answer : It brought private channels and diverse content.
24. What is localisation in TV?
Answer : Adapting content to regional languages and cultures.
25. What is the role of advertisements in media?
Answer : They fund programs and influence consumer habits.
26. Which media type grew fastest post-globalisation?
Answer : Satellite television.
27. What is the Indian language newspaper revolution?
Answer : Rapid growth in circulation of vernacular newspapers.
28. Which Hindi newspapers lead in circulation?
Answer : Dainik Jagran and Dainik Bhaskar.
29. What does the Films Division do?
Answer : Produces newsreels and documentaries for awareness.
30. Why was Doordarshan criticised initially?
Answer : It had limited programming and slow growth.
Medium Questions with answers
1. What role did newspapers play in the freedom movement?
Answer : Newspapers like Kesari and Amrita Bazar Patrika spread nationalist ideas. They opposed colonial policies and united Indians. Their circulation was low, but their influence was significant.
2. How has technology changed newspaper production?
Answer : Automation and software like Newsmaker replaced manual methods. Reporters now use laptops, digital recorders, and phones for faster news delivery. This enabled newspapers to expand editions and cater to local needs.
3. What was the impact of Hum Log on Indian society?
Answer : Hum Log addressed social issues like alcoholism and women’s rights. It encouraged viewers to connect educational themes with their daily lives. Its popularity showed the power of media in influencing public opinion.
4. What is the importance of vernacular newspapers?
Answer : They cater to rural and small-town readers in local languages. Papers like Malayala Manorama and Eenadu include district-specific news. This helped them expand circulation and connect with regional audiences.
5. How did the government use media post-independence?
Answer : Media was a tool for promoting national development and reforms. Documentaries highlighted progress, while AIR spread awareness on agriculture. These efforts aimed to build a modern, self-reliant society.
6. What role does advertising play in TV shows?
Answer : Advertisements fund TV programs and shape consumer trends. Shows like Hum Log introduced products like Maggi to Indian homes. This reliance on ads has led to commercialisation of TV content.
7. What is the influence of globalisation on Indian TV?
Answer : Channels like STAR and Zee brought global and regional content. They localised programming by using Indian languages and cultural themes. This mix of global and local content expanded their audience.
8. What are FM radio’s unique features in India?
Answer : FM stations offer localised music and entertainment programs. They avoid political news, focusing on younger audiences. Stations like Radio Mirchi and Red FM are part of large media companies.
9. How did cable TV grow in India?
Answer : Cable networks started with VCR-based film screenings in the 1980s. Channels like Zee TV introduced satellite broadcasts in the 1990s. By 2000, regional and private networks became popular.
10. What is the role of AIR in rural development?
Answer : AIR promoted high-yield crops during the Green Revolution. It reached rural audiences with field reports and educational programs. This effort improved agricultural awareness and productivity.
11. What impact has satellite TV had on India?
Answer : Satellite TV brought entertainment, news, and regional channels. Channels like Sun TV and Zee catered to local audiences in many languages. Its rapid expansion transformed media consumption habits.
12. How has localisation helped media companies?
Answer : Companies adapt content to regional cultures to attract diverse audiences. For example, STAR Plus shifted to Hindi programming. Localisation improves engagement and increases viewership.
13. What was the significance of SITE?
Answer : SITE brought educational TV programs to rural India in 1975-76. It provided farming tips and health advice to six states. This experiment showed the potential of TV for social development.
14. Why is media ownership important?
Answer : Media owned by large corporations or governments influences content. Private TV channels rely on ads, while public radio promotes national goals. Ownership shapes the media’s role in society.
15. What are the benefits of media fusion?
Answer : Fusion integrates different media, like TV and the Internet. It enables faster distribution of news and entertainment. This trend increases accessibility but challenges traditional industries like print.
Long Questions with answers
1. How has television changed in India over time?
Answer : Television started in India in 1959 to help rural development. It became popular in the 1980s with color broadcasts during the Asian Games. Private channels like Zee TV and Star TV came in the 1990s, offering more programs. Today, there are over 900 TV channels in many languages.
2. What did Indian newspapers do during British rule?
Answer : Newspapers like Kesari and Amrita Bazar Patrika helped spread ideas against British rule. They united people and supported the fight for freedom. Some, like Raja Rammohun Roy’s Sambad-Kaumudi, raised awareness on social issues. Despite British censorship, these newspapers stood strong for the nationalist cause.
3. What was the role of radio in India’s development?
Answer : After independence, All India Radio (AIR) promoted national growth with news and educational programs. Vividh Bharati entertained people with Hindi songs. During the Green Revolution, radio taught farmers about new crops. By 2000, AIR reached most Indian households in many languages.
4. How did FM radio channels change Indian radio?
Answer : FM channels began in 2002, offering music, talk shows, and entertainment. They focused on young city listeners with popular songs and fun content. Channels like Radio Mirchi became very popular but didn’t broadcast news. FM radio showed how local programs could attract more listeners.
5. Why is the print media still important in India?
Answer : Indian newspapers have grown in rural areas, using local languages and editions. Big papers like Dainik Jagran and Eenadu make news easy to read and include local stories. Advanced printing helps produce more copies quickly. Even with TV and online news, people still trust newspapers.
6. How has globalisation changed Indian media?
Answer : Globalisation brought foreign channels like Star TV and MTV to India. These channels added Hindi shows to attract Indian viewers. The music industry grew but faced challenges from online streaming. Media now mixes print, TV, and online formats to reach more people.
7. How has globalisation affected the music industry?
Answer : Music became global with CDs and MTV, reaching more people worldwide. Later, online platforms like streaming apps replaced CDs and cassettes. This made music easier to access but harder to sell traditionally. Globalisation brought both growth and challenges for the music business.
8. What happened to the media during the 1975 Emergency?
Answer : During the Emergency, the government stopped press freedom with strict rules. Newspapers were censored, and some were shut down for resisting. Many journalists fought for democracy despite the restrictions. After 1977, press freedom was restored, showing the importance of free media.
9. How has newspaper production improved with technology?
Answer : Computers and software now help make newspapers faster and better. Reporters use laptops and digital cameras to send news quickly. Papers can create local editions for different regions easily. This helps newspapers compete with TV and online news.
10. How do reality TV shows affect Indian audiences?
Answer : Reality shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati and Bigg Boss became very popular. These shows are interactive and keep viewers excited. They make participants famous and bring big advertising money. Reality TV reflects how people enjoy new types of entertainment.
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