How can you say that media is far from freedom? Or why do most newspapers still fail to provide a balanced story? [V. Imp.]
It is said that media is often controlled by business houses. Media does what these business houses wish. At times, it is in the interest of these businesses to focus on only one side of the story. Media is in the constant need of money.
Hence, it is essential for media to get linked, it is with advertising groups. In such a situation it is difficult for media to report against people who give them advertisements. Its close links to big business houses snatches its independence. It has to do as per the wishes of these business houses, Media also tends to focus on a particular aspect of a story because they believe this makes the story interesting. One thing more, if they want to increase public support for an issue, they often do this by focusing on one side of a story. Thus,it is difficult to say that media is independent.
How can you say that media is far from freedom? Or why do most newspapers still fail to provide a balanced story? [V. Imp.]
Can you give this diagram a title? What do you understand about the link between media and big business from this diagram?
You have read about the ways in which the media sets the agenda'. What kind of effect does this have in a democracy? Provide two examples to support your point of view.
What are the various ways through which people express their dissatisfaction to any of the government's decision which does not go in their favour?
What do you mean by an independent media? Why is it important for the media to be independent? [V. Imp.]
As a class project, decide to focus on a particular news topic and cut out stories from different newspapers on this. Also watch the coverage of this topic on TV news, compare two newspapers and write down the similarity and differences in their reports. It might help to ask the following questions:
(a) What information is this article providing?
(b) What information is it leaving out?
(c) From whose point of view is the article being written?
(d) Whose point of view is being left out and why?