Media And Democracy

Class 7 | Social Science — Civics | Unit 2

Class 7 Unit 2 Civics

Unit 2 - Media and Democracy

Learning Objectives

• Understand media and its classification
• Analyse the role of media in facilitating interaction between the government and citizen
• Know the ethic and responsibility of media
• Gain a critical sense of the impact of media on people's lives and choices.

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

Introduction

Traditionally, India has many folk form of communicating with people in rural areas. Harikatha, and koothu are originally a religious media from in which the stories were propagated. It is a collective form of music, dance, speech, storytelling with comic interludes. It has tremendous effect in communicating the messages straight into the hearts of the people. Then socially relevant messages were passed through this medium. Modern methods to address small and medium gatherings include seminars, dramas, public meetings and workshops etcetera. Print media has been referred to as Peoples University because they perform the role of public informer, educate and custodian of public interest. Let us discuss about Media and its role.

What is Media?

Every individual person is a medium of expression. An individual interacts through the media to reach other individual and institutions. Media is generally the agency for inter-personal communication. Media includes every broadcasting and narrowcasting medium. Media is the plural of the word medium. Such a medium or media allows to communicate messages, thoughts, ideas, views, etcetera.

Classification of Media

Type	Examples
Narrowcast Media	Cable Television, Direct mail, Seminar
Broadcast Media	Films, Television, Radio
Print Media	Newspapers, Magazine, Journals, Books, Posters, Reports
Web Media	Google website and Blogs
Social Media	Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram

This communication can be classified into Personal communication, these are meant for personal use, like letters, telephone, cell phone, E-mail and fax. Mass communication, these are used for communicating with the masses. Newspapers, Radio, TV, Collectively they are termed as media.

Do You Know?

Printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1453

Fourth Pillar of Democracy

The four pillars of democracy are Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, and Media. Media ensures the transparency in the working of all the above three systems. This fourth pillar of democracy ensures that all people living in far off areas of country are aware of what's happening in rest of the country. In fact, mass media is the most important vehicle for information, knowledge and communication in a democratic polity.

Importance of the Media

Media is very powerful entity on the earth. It is a mirror which shows various social, political and economic activities around us. People depend on the media for various needs including entertainment and information. Media keeps the people awakened and it has become one of the major instruments of social change. Media not only bring out the day to day happenings in the world, but also exposes the strength and weakness of the government. It also advertises the various products produced by the private companies. It creates the awareness. All the TV channels broadcasts national and international news. Social problems are portrayed in many cinemas. Media provide a balanced report on any matters. It fights against the socio political evils and injustice in our society while bringing empowerment to the masses and facilitating development.

Do You Know?

All India Radio (A I R) Officially known as Akashvani since 1956 (voice from the sky) is the radio broadcaster of the Government of India launched in 1936.

Media and public opinion

The media plays a prominent role in the formation of public opinion (general opinion of the public on particular issue). It is the powerful tool in contemporary times. It has become a part of the everyday life of the people. They play a significant role in shaping a person's understanding and perception about the events occurred in our daily lives. The mass media play a significant role in providing honest, intelligent and usually unbiased accounts of events. The newspaper reflects the response of the people to the government policies. Thus print media and electronic media helps the people to express their opinion on important social issues.

Ethic and Responsibility

Ethics is a code of values which govern our lives. So they are very essential for moral and healthy life. In the context of media ethics may be described as a set of moral principles. The media is expected to follow a code of conduct which should be reflected in their reporting and writing. Sensational and distorted news should be avoided. The fundamental objectives of media are to serve the people with news, views, comments and information on matters of public interest in a fair, accurate, unbiased and decent manner and language. An awakened and free media is very much essential for the function of the government. It has right to collect information from any primary authentic sources which are important to the society and then report the same with the aim to inform not to create sensation. The media has a massive responsibility in providing factual coverage.

Role of Media in Democracy

Media is the back bone of democracy. In our democratic society mass media is the driving force of public opinion. Media strengthens the democratic value. It enlightens and empowers the people. It can educate the voters and ensures that government is transparent and accountable. Media carry every report of action of administration of the government. Based on the information, the citizen can learn about the functioning of the government and day to day happenings taking place around them.

Theory of Democracy

Democracy means rule by the people. It combines two Greek words. Demos refers to citizen. Kratos means either power or rule.

It arranges the debate on current affairs so that we can get the different views for the same issue. Media reminds the government of its unfulfilled promises to the public. It educates masses in rural areas. Parliamentary democracy can flourish only under the watchful eyes of media. Media not only reports but acts as a bridge between the state and public. Thus the media acts as a watch day of the democratic government. A democracy without media is like vehicle without wheel.

Local Media

Usually the media reports the news which of national and global importance where as local media addresses public locality.

Activity

Name some local media of your locality.

Conclusion

The media, in the contemporary world of information and technology plays a very significant role in educating masses. The media should always keep in mind, that it should not publish anything which corrupts the public mind and disturbs social peace. For healthy society sharing of views, free flow of information, free communication and expression plays a crucial role. Media, being powerful and important instruments of expression have got lot to contribute. Mass media have made the world smaller and closer.

Summary

A medium is a means or way of communication; media is the plural of medium. Modern media such as TV, radio, newspaper, and the internet reach millions of people all over the world. So the common term used for them is mass media. Changing technology helps media to reach more people. Media has brought the world closer to us. It brings the news and happenings from across the world to the public in a fair and realistic way. In a democracy, the media plays a very important role in providing news. It is working out to be an effective tool to create public opinion on issues by improving awareness among the masses.

Glossary

Broadcast transmit by radio or television - ஒளிபரப்பு Polity system of government - ஆட்சி அமைப்பு Contemporary present day - சமகாலத்தில் Ethics moral principles - நெறிமுறைகள் Unbiased impartial - நடுநிலையான Authentic genuine/original - உண்மையான

Evaluation

Exercise I. Choose the correct answer

1. Which one of the following comes under print media?

a. Radio b. Television c. Newspaper d. Internet

2. Which one of the following is the broadcast media?

a. Magazines b. Journals c. Newspaper d. Radio

3. Which invention has brought the world closure?

a. Typewriter b. Television c. Telex d. none of these

4. Which is mass media?

a. Radio b. Television c. Both a & b d. None of these

5. why is it necessary for media to be independent?

a. to earn money b. to encourage company c. to write balanced report d. none of these Exercise II. Fill in the blanks

1. have made the world smaller and closer.

2. Every individual person is a medium of .

3. Printing press was invented by .

4. is a code of values which govern our lives.

5. is the radio broadcast of the Government of India.

Exercise III. Match the following

1. Narrowcast media
2. Social media
3. Print media
4. Web media
5. Broadcast media

Options: films, posters, seminar, google web site, facebook

Exercise IV. Consider the following statements: Tick the appropriate answer

1. Assertion: Print media has been referred to as peoples University

Reason: They perform the role of public informer, educate, custodian of public interest.

a. Assertion is correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion b. Assertion is correct and Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion c. Assertion is wrong and Reason is Correct d. Both are wrong

2. Find the odd one

a. newspapers b. magazine c. journals d. twitter e. posters

3. consider the following statements and choose the correct answer form the codes given below.

a. Media is generally the agency for interpersonal communication.

b. Media is very powerful entity on the earth.

c. Media plays a prominent role in the formation of public opinion.

d. Media does not have any responsibility

1. a, b and c are correct 2. a, c and d are correct 3. b, c and d are correct 4. a, b and d are correct Exercise V. Answer in one or two sentences

1. What is media?

2. How does the public get the news about the decision that are taken in the Legislative Assembly?

3. What are the importance of local media?

4. Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. Justify

5. State any two responsibility of media

Exercise VI. Answer the following in detail

1. How can we classify media?

2. In what ways does the media play an important role in a democracy?

3. What are the advantages of media?

Exercise VII. HOTs

1. Is Media necessary? Why?

2. What do you know about the term press conference?

3. In what ways media affects our daily lives?

4. Media is a boon or bane.

Exercise VIII. Activity

1. Focus on a particular news. Collect information about that news from various media. Compare and write down the similarity and differences

2. Prepare an album , 'the growth of media' (from early period to till now).

3. Prepare a newspaper and circulate in your class.

Book-back Exercises — Questions & Answers

Answers generated strictly from the Samacheer Kalvi textbook content. Attempt each question first, then click "Show Answer" to check.

I. Choose the Correct Answer

1. Which one of the following comes under print media?

a) Radio b) Television c) Newspaper d) Internet

Answer: c) Newspaper

Explanation: According to the chapter, print media includes newspapers, magazines, journals, books, posters, and reports.

2. Which one of the following is the broadcast media?

a) Magazines b) Journals c) Newspaper d) Radio

Answer: d) Radio

Explanation: The chapter classifies broadcast media to include films, television, and radio.

3. Which invention has brought the world closure?

a) Typewriter b) Television c) Telex d) none of these

Answer: b) Television

Explanation: The chapter states that mass media have made the world smaller and closer, and television is part of mass media.

4. Which is mass media?

a) Radio b) Television c) Both a & b d) None of these

Answer: c) Both a & b

Explanation: The chapter mentions that newspapers, radio, and TV collectively are termed as mass media.

5. Why is it necessary for media to be independent?

a) to earn money b) to encourage company c) to write balanced report d) none of these

Answer: c) to write balanced report

Explanation: The chapter states that media should provide a balanced report on any matters and serve people with news in a fair, accurate, unbiased and decent manner.

II. Fill in the Blanks

1. _______ have made the world smaller and closer.

Answer: Mass media

2. Every individual person is a medium of _______.

Answer: expression

3. Printing press was invented by _______.

Answer: Johannes Gutenberg

4. _______ is a code of values which govern our lives.

Answer: Ethics

5. _______ is the radio broadcast of the Government of India.

Answer: All India Radio (AIR)

III. Match the Following

3. Match the Following

Column A	Column B
1. Narrowcast media	a) films
2. Social media	b) posters
3. Print media	c) seminar
4. Web media	d) google web site
5. Broadcast media	e) facebook

Answers: 1-c, 2-e, 3-b, 4-d, 5-a

IV. Consider the Following Statements

1. Assertion: Print media has been referred to as peoples University. Reason: They perform the role of public informer, educate, custodian of public interest.

a) Assertion is correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion b) Assertion is correct and Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion c) Assertion is wrong and Reason is Correct d) Both are wrong

Answer: a) Assertion is correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion

Explanation: The chapter directly states that print media has been referred to as Peoples University because they perform the role of public informer, educate and custodian of public interest.

2. Find the odd one

a) newspapers b) magazine c) journals d) twitter e) posters

Answer: d) twitter

Explanation: Twitter is social media while all others (newspapers, magazine, journals, posters) are print media according to the chapter's classification.

3. Consider the following statements and choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
a. Media is generally the agency for interpersonal communication.
b. Media is very powerful entity on the earth.
c. Media plays a prominent role in the formation of public opinion.
d. Media does not have any responsibility

1) a, b and c are correct 2) a, c and d are correct 3) b, c and d are correct 4) a, b and d are correct

Answer: 1) a, b and c are correct

Explanation: The chapter states all three points: media is agency for interpersonal communication, media is very powerful entity, and media plays prominent role in formation of public opinion. Statement d is wrong as media has massive responsibility according to the chapter.

V. Answer in One or Two Sentences

1. What is media?

Answer: Media is generally the agency for inter-personal communication. It is a medium that allows to communicate messages, thoughts, ideas, and views.

2. How does the public get the news about the decisions that are taken in the Legislative Assembly?

Answer: The public gets news about Legislative Assembly decisions through media which carries every report of action of administration of the government. Media acts as a bridge between the state and public.

3. What are the importance of local media?

Answer: While general media reports news of national and global importance, local media addresses issues of public locality. It focuses on matters relevant to specific communities and regions.

4. Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. Justify.

Answer: The four pillars of democracy are Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, and Media. Media ensures transparency in the working of all the above three systems and ensures that people living in far off areas are aware of what's happening in the country.

5. State any two responsibility of media.

Answer: Media should serve people with news in a fair, accurate, unbiased and decent manner. Media has a massive responsibility in providing factual coverage and should avoid sensational and distorted news.

VI. Answer the Following in Detail

1. How can we classify media?

Answer: Media can be classified into different types: Narrowcast Media includes cable television, direct mail, and seminar. Broadcast Media includes films, television, and radio. Print Media includes newspapers, magazines, journals, books, posters, and reports. Web Media includes Google websites and blogs. Social Media includes Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. Communication can also be classified as personal communication for personal use and mass communication for communicating with masses.

2. In what ways does the media play an important role in a democracy?

Answer: Media is the backbone of democracy and strengthens democratic values. It enlightens and empowers people, educates voters and ensures government is transparent and accountable. Media carries reports of government administration, arranges debates on current affairs to get different views, reminds government of unfulfilled promises, and educates masses in rural areas. Parliamentary democracy can flourish only under watchful eyes of media. Media acts as a bridge between state and public, serving as a watchdog of democratic government.

3. What are the advantages of media?

Answer: Media is a very powerful entity that acts as a mirror showing various social, political and economic activities. It keeps people awakened and has become a major instrument of social change. Media brings out day-to-day happenings, exposes government's strengths and weaknesses, creates awareness, broadcasts national and international news, and portrays social problems. It provides balanced reports, fights against socio-political evils and injustice while bringing empowerment to masses and facilitating development. Mass media have made the world smaller and closer.

📝 Summary

1. Media is classified into different types including narrowcast media (cable television, seminars), broadcast media (films, television, radio), print media (newspapers, magazines, books), web media (websites, blogs), and social media (Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram).
2. Media serves as the fourth pillar of democracy alongside Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, ensuring transparency in governance and keeping citizens informed about happenings across the country.
3. India has traditional folk forms of media communication like Harikatha and Koothu, which combined music, dance, speech, and storytelling to effectively communicate messages to rural communities.
4. Media plays a crucial role in forming public opinion and has become an integral part of everyday life, serving as a powerful tool for information, knowledge, and communication in democratic society.
5. The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1453, and All India Radio (AIR), officially known as Akashvani since 1956, was launched in 1936 as the government's radio broadcaster.