Mass Media and Society MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Mass Media and Society - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

Key Points

• Facebook - Social Networking (A-2)
  • Facebook is primarily used for connecting with friends, family, and communities through posts, messages, and groups.
  • It allows users to share personal updates, photos, videos, and participate in discussions, making it a comprehensive social networking platform.
• Twitter - Microblogging (B-1)
  • Twitter is a platform for sharing short, concise messages, known as "tweets," with a character limit of 280 (as of recent updates).
  • It is widely used for real-time updates, news sharing, and engaging in public conversations.
• Instagram - Visual Content Sharing (C-3)
  • Instagram focuses on sharing photos and videos, with features like stories, reels, and IGTV for creative content.
  • It is widely used by individuals, influencers, and businesses for visual storytelling and brand promotion.
• LinkedIn - Professional Networking (D-4)
  • LinkedIn is designed for career development, job searching, and professional networking.
  • Users can connect with colleagues, share work achievements, and explore job opportunities, making it a key platform for professional growth.

Additional Information

• Facebook (A-2)
  • Additional features include events, marketplace, and gaming sections, which enhance its utility as a social hub.
  • It also supports pages and ads for businesses to reach a broader audience.
• Twitter (B-1)
  • Hashtags and trending topics help in organizing conversations and increasing visibility for specific topics.
  • It is used by celebrities, politicians, and organizations for direct communication with the public.
• Instagram (C-3)
  • Offers filters and editing tools to enhance visual content, making it appealing for creative expression.
  • It integrates with e-commerce, allowing businesses to sell products directly through posts and stories.
• LinkedIn (D-4)
  • Provides features like endorsements, recommendations, and skill assessments for showcasing professional expertise.
  • LinkedIn Learning offers courses for users to upskill and enhance their career prospects.

The correct answer is - Option 1: B, C, A, D

Key Points

• Pyaasa (B)
  • Released in 1957, Pyaasa is a classic Indian film directed by Guru Dutt.
  • It explores themes of social inequality and unrequited love, marking its place as an early milestone in Indian cinema.
• Mother India (C)
  • Premiered in 1957, shortly after Pyaasa.
  • Directed by Mehboob Khan, it is considered one of the greatest Indian films, portraying rural hardships and maternal sacrifice.
• Sholay (A)
  • Released in 1975, Sholay is a landmark in Indian cinema, blending action, drama, and comedy.
  • Directed by Ramesh Sippy, it became a cultural phenomenon and defined the "Curry Western" genre.
• Lagaan (D)
  • Released in 2001, Lagaan is a critically acclaimed sports drama directed by Ashutosh Gowariker.
  • Set in colonial India, it tells the story of villagers challenging British rulers through a cricket match.

Additional Information

• Chronological Order of Release
  • Indian cinema has evolved significantly over the decades, with each of these films representing different eras and styles.
  • Pyaasa and Mother India belong to the Golden Age of Indian cinema in the 1950s.
  • Sholay reflects the commercial blockbuster era of the 1970s.
  • Lagaan is emblematic of the modern Indian cinema renaissance in the early 2000s.
• Impact and Legacy
  • Pyaasa is celebrated globally for its poetic storytelling and innovative cinematography.
  • Mother India was India’s first submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
  • Sholay is often regarded as the "Greatest Indian Film of All Time," with an enduring cultural impact.
  • Lagaan received an Academy Award nomination and introduced Indian cinema to global audiences.

The correct answer is - To certify films based on their content

Key Points

• Role of the CBFC
  • The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
  • Its primary function is to certify films intended for public exhibition in India.
  • The certification is based on the content of the film, ensuring it aligns with legal and societal standards.
• Certification Categories
  • The CBFC issues certifications in categories such as:
    • U (Universal): Suitable for all age groups.
    • UA (Parental Guidance): Suitable for children with parental guidance.
    • A (Adults Only): Restricted to adult viewers.
    • S (Special Class): Restricted to specific professional groups.
• Legal Framework
  • The CBFC operates under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which empowers it to regulate public exhibition of films.
  • Films must adhere to guidelines that prohibit content that may harm public morality, security, or incite communal disharmony.

Additional Information

• CBFC's Certification Process
  • The filmmaker submits the movie to the CBFC for approval.
  • A panel of examiners reviews the film, ensuring it adheres to prescribed guidelines.
  • The panel may suggest cuts or modifications if the content is deemed inappropriate.
  • Once the changes (if any) are made, the film is granted a certification for public exhibition.
• Controversies and Criticisms
  • The CBFC has faced criticism for alleged censorship rather than certification, sparking debates about freedom of expression.
  • Reforms have been proposed to make the certification process more transparent and less restrictive.
• International Comparisons
  • Similar film certification boards exist globally, such as the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in the UK and the Motion Picture Association (MPA) in the US.
  • These organizations also classify films based on content like violence, language, and sexual themes.

The correct answer is - The risk of the movie's performance on the platform not generating sufficient revenue, as the production house is paid a fixed amount.

Key Points

• Risk transfer to OTT platforms
  • When movies are released directly to Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, the financial risk of the movie's performance is shifted from production houses to OTT platforms.
  • The production house typically receives a fixed payment for selling the rights to the OTT platform, irrespective of how the movie performs on the platform.
  • For OTT platforms, the movie's success depends on viewership and subscriptions. If the movie does not attract enough viewers, it may not generate sufficient revenue to justify the investment.
• Fixed revenue for production houses
  • By opting for direct-to-OTT releases, production houses secure a guaranteed revenue upfront, which protects them from losses typically associated with box office failures.
  • They are no longer directly dependent on factors like ticket sales or audience turnout in theaters, minimizing their financial exposure.

Additional Information

• Other risks associated with movie production
  • Securing film permits: This refers to obtaining permissions for shooting locations, but this risk is managed during the pre-production phase and is not directly tied to OTT releases.
  • Distribution channels: In traditional releases, production houses face challenges in finding appropriate theaters and distributors, but with direct-to-OTT releases, this burden is eliminated.
  • Satellite and music rights: These are additional revenue streams that may still be sold separately or bundled with OTT deals, depending on the agreement.
• Advantages for OTT platforms
  • OTT platforms gain exclusive content, which helps attract new subscribers and retain existing ones.
  • They can also analyze user data to better understand audience preferences and optimize future investments.
• Challenges for OTT platforms
  • The high cost of acquiring exclusive content can pose a financial risk if the content fails to deliver adequate returns.
  • OTT platforms must compete with others to secure rights to popular films, often leading to bidding wars and inflated acquisition costs.

The correct answer is - They are primarily responsible for supplying the internet connection.

Key Points

• Role of cable TV providers in the modern era
  • As consumers increasingly shift to Over-The-Top (OTT) services like Netflix or Spotify, the primary role of traditional cable TV providers has evolved.
  • They now focus on providing internet connectivity, which is essential for accessing streaming services.
• Internet connection as a foundation for OTT services
  • OTT platforms require a stable and fast internet connection to stream content efficiently.
  • Cable TV providers often offer broadband services to meet this demand.
• Shift from traditional cable TV to broadband services
  • With declining reliance on cable TV, providers are repositioning themselves as Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
  • They leverage existing infrastructure to supply broadband services for OTT consumption.

Additional Information

• OTT services
  • OTT stands for Over-The-Top services, which deliver content directly via the internet without traditional cable or satellite TV infrastructure.
  • Examples include platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify, and Disney+.
• Billing and subscription management
  • OTT platforms like Netflix or Spotify handle their own billing and subscription processes independently.
  • Cable TV providers do not typically manage these aspects for OTT services.
• Content control and streaming servers
  • OTT platforms have dedicated infrastructure, including streaming servers, to deliver their content directly to consumers.
  • Cable TV providers do not control the content or provide servers for OTT platforms.
• Consumer trends
  • Consumers are increasingly opting for OTT services due to their flexibility, affordability, and vast content libraries.
  • This trend has reshaped the business model of traditional cable TV providers, emphasizing their role as ISPs.

1) The Press Information Bureau (PIB)

• It is the nodal agency of the Government of India to disseminate information to the print and electronic media on government policies, programs, initiatives, and achievements.
• It functions as an interface between the Government and the media and also serves to provide feedback to the Government on people’s reaction as reflected in the media.
• PIB disseminates information through different modes of communication viz. press releases, press notes, feature articles, backgrounders, photographs, a database available on the Bureau’s website.
• Information disseminated is released in English, Hindi, and Urdu and subsequently translated in other Indian languages to reach out to about 8,400 newspapers and media organizations in different parts of the country.

2) Press Trust of India (PTI)

• PTI was registered in 1947 and started functioning in 1949.
• It is India’s premier news agency, having a reach as vast as the Indian Railways.
• Collectively, journalists and stringers put out more than 2,000 stories and 200 photographs a day to feed the expansive appetite of the diverse subscribers, who include the mainstream media, the specialized presses, research groups, companies, and government and non-governmental organizations.
• PTI correspondents are also based in leading capitals and important business and administrative centers around the world.
• It also has exchange arrangements with several foreign news agencies to magnify its global news footprint.

3) All India Radio (AIR)

• It is India’s Public Service Broadcaster, the Radio vertical of Prasar Bharati has been serving to inform, educate and entertain its audiences since its inception, living up to its motto – ‘Bahujan Hitaya: Bahujan Sukhaya’.
• It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in the world in terms of the number of languages of broadcast and the spectrum of socio-economic and cultural diversity it serves.
• AIR’s home service comprises of 470 Broadcasting centers located across the country, covering nearly 92% of the country’s area and 99.19 % of the total population.
• Terrestrially, AIR originates programming in 23 languages and 179 dialects.

4) Press Council of India (PCI)

• The Press Council of India was first set up in the year 1966 by the Parliament on the recommendations of the First Press Commission.
• The objective of PCI is to preserve the freedom of the press and to maintain and improve the standards of press in India.

​Hence, The Press Information Bureau (PIB) is the agency of the Central Government that disseminates information regarding government
policies and projects to the media in India.

The correct answer is Times of India

Important Points

• Times of India
  • ​ It is the third-largest newspaper in India by circulation and the largest selling English-language daily in the world.
  •  It is nicknamed as "The Old Lady of Bori Bunder",[8][9] and is an Indian "newspaper of record".
  • It is owned and published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (B.C.C.L.)
  • Its tagline is"Let Truth prevail"

Additional Information

• The tagline of the statesman newspaper is" People’s Parliament, Always In Session"
• The tagline of the Tribune newspaper is" Voice Of The People"
• The tagline of the Hindu newspaper is '"Indian’s National Newspaper Since 1878"

Social Networking:

1. Social networking is the use of Internet-based social media sites to stay connected with friends, family, colleagues, customers, or clients.
2. Social networking can have a social purpose, a business purpose, or both, through sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, among others.
3. Social networking has become a significant base for marketers seeking to engage customers.
4. Despite some stiff competition, Facebook remains the largest and most popular social network, with over two billion people using the platform.
5. It was followed, in order of popularity, by Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, and Pinterest, according to Statistica.com.

1. Ebay: It is an American multinational e-commerce corporation that facilitates consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales through its website.

Therefore, eBay is not a social network.

The correct answer is November 16

Important Points

 Press Council of India:

• The is a statutory, adjudicating organization in India formed in 1966
• It is the self-regulatory watchdog of the press, for the press and by the press, that operates under the Press Council Act of 1978
• National Press Day is observed on November 16th every year to acknowledge and honor the Press Council of India
• Smt. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai  is the Chairman of the Council. (2022)

Additional Information

• January 30 
  • Martyrs' Day  is observed in India annually to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
• October 15.
  • ​World Student's Day is celebrated every year in honor of the birth anniversary of the former president of India, Late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
• 9 November.
  • ​National Legal Services Day is marked across the country annually on 9 November.

Prasar Bharati:

1. Prasar Bharati is India's largest public broadcasting agency.
2. It is a statutory autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament and comprises the Doordarshan Television Network and All India Radio, which were earlier media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
3. The Parliament of India passed the Prasar Bharati Act to grant this autonomy in 1990, but it was not enacted until 15 September 1997.
4. The Prasar Bharti board Chairperson's position remains vacant since Dr. A. Surya Prakash demitted office in February 2020.

Therefore,  'Prasar Bharati' is an autonomous body for public radio and TV broadcasting.

Multimedia comprises text, audio, and video.

Multimedia:

• Multimedia is a technology that facilitates all kinds of media experiences like text, audio, video, animation, photo, etc.
• This is a system of integration of more type of media
• Multimedia allows storing data and facilitates using the date for further reference
• It is very advantageous for teaching-learning processes, and spread knowledge all over the world at a lower cost
• Multimedia can be recorded for playback on computers, laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices, either on-demand or in real-time (streaming). 
• The components of multimedia are
  • Text: this the primary form of multimedia elements. Different colors, font, style, etc. are allowed here.
  • Graphics: These are generally used with text to present the information in an attractive way
  • Audio: it has its combination with animation. Audio includes sounds, music, speech, etc.
  • Video: the moving images with sounds effect is the main component of video.
  • Animation: the sequence of still images present in a way that look like moving images.

Four Estates of democracy:
Commonly there are four estates for any democracy that they are

1. Legislative (Lawmaking) 
2. Executive (Policy execution) 
3. Judiciary (reviewing the law) 
4. Press (Reporting the system honestly) 

​

Media as the Fourth Estate of Democracy:

1. The existence of a free, independent, and powerful media is the cornerstone of a democracy, especially of a highly mixed society like India.
2. The pivotal role of the media is its ability to mobilize the thinking process of millions.
3. Technically a democracy stands on the pillars of the judiciary, executive, and legislature.
4. But with the rise of the press and its power to reach every nook and corner of the state, it can also be considered as the fourth pillar of a democracy.

Therefore, Media is known as Fourth Estate.​

Mass communication is the process of messages to the masses. 

Key Points

• Mass communication is the process of conveying a message to a large group of anonymous and heterogeneous people. 
•  A huge group of anonymous and diverse people might be thought of as either the general public or a part of the general public. 
• Examples of mass communication channels, Broadcast television, radio, social media, print, etc.
• The message is usually provided by a professional communicator who frequently represents an organization.
• In contrast to interpersonal communication, mass communication feedback is typically delayed and indirect.

Therefore, The communication which happens outside the realm of interpersonal communication is called Mass communication.

Additional Information

• Intrapersonal communication refers to how we communicate with our inner selves. 
• Upward communication is defined as a communication process in which a message is transferred in the hierarchy. 
• Interpersonal communication refers to when the exchange of messages between two individuals. 

Paul Lazarsfeld (1901–1976), made significant contributions to media and communication theory. Some of his work, including the two-step flow model of mass communication reception, continues to resonate in studies of audience reception.

Key Points

• In the late 1930s and early 1940s, mass society notions began to be empirically investigated by Paul Lazarsfeld.
• Trained in psychological measurement, Lazarsfeld fled the Nazis and came to the United States on a Ford Foundation fellowship (Lazarsfeld, 1969).
• For the emerging field of mass communication research, he proved to be a seminal thinker and researcher.
• Lazarsfeld was interested in exploring the potential of newly developed social science methods, such as surveys and field experiments, to understand and solve social problems.
• He combined academic training with a high level of entrepreneurial skill. Within a few years after arriving in the United States, he had established a very active and successful social research center, the Bureau for Applied Social Research at Columbia University.
• Lazarsfeld was committed to the use of empirical social research methods in order to establish the validity of theory.  
• Lazarsfeld’s most famous research efforts, the “American Voter Studies,” actually began as an attempt to document the media’s power during election campaigns.
• By the mid-1950s, Lazarsfeld’s work and that of other empirical media researchers had generated an enormous amount of data.
• Lazarsfeld's conclusion from survey research contrary to popular assumptions, the mass media cannot directly change most people's strongly-held attitudes or opinions.
• Though Lazarsfeld and others never labeled this theory, it is now referred to as limited-effects theory.

Thus based on the above facts both statements A and D are correct.

 Key Points

Vladimir Zworykin was a prominent engineer and inventor who played a significant role in the development of electronic television.

• He is widely associated with the invention and refinement of the iconoscope, an early electronic television camera tube.
• Zworykin worked at the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and made several key contributions to television technology during the early 20th century.
• Zworykin's iconoscope, patented in 1933, was a crucial innovation that allowed for the conversion of optical images into electronic signals.
• His contributions revolutionized the field of broadcasting, enabling the widespread adoption of television as a powerful medium of communication and entertainment.

Thus, Zworykin's work and inventions were instrumental in the establishment of modern television systems, and he is considered one of the pioneers of electronic television.

Confusion Points

• Electronic television was first successfully demonstrated in San Francisco on Sept. 7, 1927. The system was designed by Philo Taylor Farnsworth

 Additional InformationColor Printing: The invention of color printing is attributed to Johann Gutenberg, who introduced the concept of movable type and the printing press in the 15th century.

Radio: The invention of radio is commonly attributed to Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor and electrical engineer who developed the first practical radio telegraph system in the late 19th century.

Internet: The internet's invention is credited to multiple pioneers, including Vinton Cerf and Bob Kahn, who developed the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) that laid the foundation for the modern internet.