Chapter 7: Mass Media and Communications – NCERT Solutions

Q1 Trace out the changes that have been occurring in the newspaper industry. What is your opinion on these changes?

[Image of growth of vernacular press in India graph]

Contrary to global trends where print is dying, the Indian newspaper industry has grown, especially the Vernacular (Regional) Press.

Key Changes:

Rise of Vernacular Press: The readership of Hindi and regional newspapers (like Dainik Jagran or Malayalam Manorama) has surpassed English newspapers due to rising literacy in rural India and the migration of workers to cities.
Technology: Adoption of advanced digital printing and automation has made production cheaper and faster, allowing “District Editions” with hyper-local news.
Commercialisation: Newspapers have shifted from a “mission” (social change) to a “profession” (profit). This led to aggressive marketing, price wars (slashing cover prices to ₹1 or ₹2), and heavy reliance on advertising.

                Opinion:
                
The changes are a double-edged sword.
                Positive: It has democratised news, reaching the remotest villages and giving a voice to the non-English speaking population.
Negative: The “Page 3” culture and “Infotainment” have diluted serious journalism. Sensationalism is often prioritized over developmental issues to attract advertisers.

Q2 Is radio as a medium of mass communication dying out? Discuss the potential that FM stations have in post-liberalisation India.

No, Radio is not dying out. In fact, it has seen a massive resurgence.

[Image of evolution of radio in India timeline]

Evolution:

Initially, radio was a state monopoly (All India Radio/Akashvani) focused on nation-building and agriculture.
It faced a decline with the arrival of Television.
However, it reinvented itself with the FM revolution in the 2000s.

Potential of FM in Post-Liberalisation India:

Privatisation: Liberalisation allowed private players (like Radio Mirchi, Red FM) to enter the market, bringing fresh, entertainment-driven content.
Localised Content: FM stations are city-specific. They provide hyper-local updates (traffic, weather) which TV cannot offer, making them vital for commuters.
Accessibility: With FM receivers built into mobile phones and cars, radio has become a personal, on-the-go medium.
Community Radio: Apart from commercial FM, NGOs use community radio to discuss local development issues, empowering rural communities.

Q3 Trace the changes that have been happening in the medium of television. Discuss.

Television in India has undergone a dramatic transformation from a state mouthpiece to a global commercial industry.

[Image of growth of television channels in India chart]

Phase 1: State Monopoly (1959–1990):

Doordarshan: TV was strictly state-controlled. Its aim was education and development (e.g., SITE experiment for farmers).
Hum Log (1984): The introduction of India’s first soap opera shifted the focus towards entertainment, leading to a boom in advertising revenue.

Phase 2: The Satellite Explosion (Post-1991):

Entry of Private Channels: The Gulf War (1991) introduced CNN to India. Soon, Star TV and Zee TV entered, ending Doordarshan’s monopoly.
Transnational Television: Global broadcasters adapted to India. STAR TV switched from English to Hindi (“Hinglish”) to capture the mass market.

Phase 3: Current Trends:

24×7 News & Reality TV: The race for TRPs has led to sensational “Breaking News” culture and the popularity of reality shows.
Regional Boom: A massive rise in regional language channels (Tamil, Telugu, Bengali) which now command huge viewership.