CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 6 – Understanding Media NCERT Solutions

Solution: Media is fundamental to a democracy as it acts as a bridge between the government and the citizens. It fulfills several key roles:

Firstly, it disseminates information about local, national, and international events, keeping citizens informed about what is happening around them. This information is crucial for understanding how the government functions and the policies it implements.

Secondly, media critically examines government actions and policies. It brings to light unpopular or potentially harmful decisions, thereby encouraging accountability and transparency from those in power.

Thirdly, media shapes public opinion by discussing various issues and presenting different perspectives. It raises awareness about societal problems and encourages public debate, which is vital for democratic participation.

In essence, media empowers citizens with knowledge, fosters informed discussion, and holds the government accountable, all of which are cornerstones of a functioning democracy.

Solution:

A suitable title for the diagram could be: "The Interdependence of Media and Big Business" or "How Big Business Utilizes Media".

From the diagram, we understand that there is a strong link between big business houses and the media. Big business houses often own or have significant influence over media outlets like newspapers, radio, and television. They use these media platforms to promote their products through advertisements. When people see these advertisements, they are encouraged to buy the products. This purchase of products generates revenue, which then flows back to the big business houses. Essentially, media acts as a channel for big businesses to reach a large audience (readers, viewers, listeners) and promote their goods, making it a mutually beneficial relationship where media profits from advertising and businesses gain customers.

Solution:

When the media 'sets the agenda', it means that the media decides which stories are important and worthy of public attention. This has a significant effect in a democracy because it influences what the public thinks about and discusses. By focusing on certain issues, the media can bring them to the forefront of public consciousness and policy debates.

Effect in a democracy: The media's agenda-setting power can direct public focus towards issues that might otherwise be ignored, potentially leading to positive change. However, it can also divert attention from more critical public issues towards sensational or less important topics, potentially weakening democratic discourse.

Examples:

1. Focus on Social Issues: When media extensively covers issues like pollution, water scarcity, or unemployment, it raises public awareness and puts pressure on the government to address these problems. This focus can lead to policy changes or increased government action.
2. Sensationalism over Substance: Sometimes, media might focus heavily on trivial or sensational stories, such as celebrity gossip or minor accidents, while giving less coverage to significant political or economic developments. This can lead the public to be more concerned with entertainment or superficial matters than with issues that directly impact their lives and the functioning of the democracy.

Solution:

This is a practical activity designed for students to develop critical thinking skills when consuming news. To complete this project, students should:

1. Choose a Topic: Select a current news event that has been covered by multiple media outlets.
2. Collect Sources: Gather news reports on this topic from at least two different newspapers and watch its coverage on a TV news channel.
3. Analyze Reports: For each newspaper report, answer the guiding questions:
   • Information Provided: Identify the key facts, figures, and events mentioned in the article.
   • Information Omitted: Note any relevant details, background information, or perspectives that are missing from the report.
   • Point of View: Determine the perspective from which the article is written. Consider the language used, the sources quoted, and the overall tone. Is it neutral, or does it favor a particular side?
   • Viewpoint Left Out: Identify any significant viewpoints or perspectives that have not been included in the report and consider possible reasons for their omission (e.g., bias, lack of space, editorial decision).
4. Compare and Contrast: Identify similarities and differences in the information presented, the perspectives adopted, and the emphasis given to various aspects of the story across the different newspapers and TV coverage.
5. Conclude: Summarize findings on how different media outlets report the same event and the potential impact this has on public understanding.

This exercise helps students understand that news is not always presented neutrally and encourages them to be more discerning consumers of information.

Solution: Various forms of communication include radio, television, newspapers, magazines, books, and the internet (including websites, social media, and email).

Solution: The word 'media' refers collectively to the various means or channels used to communicate information and entertainment to a large audience. This includes radio, television, newspapers, the internet, and other forms of mass communication.

Solution: A significant positive aspect of television is its ability to broaden our horizons and connect us to the wider world. It allows us to witness events, cultures, and ideas from different parts of the globe, fostering a sense of global community and understanding.

Solution: The primary way mass media earns money is through advertising. Companies pay media outlets to display advertisements for their products or services to reach a large audience.

Solution: Advertisements are shown repeatedly on television screens to ensure that the message reaches and stays with the viewers. Repetition helps in making the product memorable and influences the audience's minds, encouraging them to purchase the advertised item. The goal is to create brand recognition and drive consumer behavior through constant exposure.

Solution: When people are dissatisfied with a government decision, they have several ways to express their disagreement and seek change. These methods include:

1. Writing Letters: Citizens can write letters to the concerned ministers or government officials to voice their concerns and opinions.
2. Public Protests: Organizing or participating in public demonstrations, rallies, or protests allows people to collectively show their opposition.
3. Signature Campaigns: Collecting signatures on a petition or appeal can demonstrate widespread public sentiment and put pressure on the government to reconsider its decision.
4. Public Debate and Media Engagement: Engaging in public discussions, writing to newspapers, or using social media to voice opinions can also influence the government's thinking.

These actions collectively urge the government to re-evaluate its programs and decisions.

Solution: A balanced report is a news report that presents all sides of a particular story or issue fairly and objectively. It includes the viewpoints of all relevant parties involved, provides factual information, and avoids showing bias towards any particular perspective. The aim is to give the readers or viewers enough information from different angles so they can form their own informed opinion.

Solution: It is necessary for the media to be independent so that it can function without undue influence or pressure from external sources, such as the government, powerful corporations, or political groups. Independence allows the media to report news truthfully, critically, and without bias. This enables them to provide balanced reports, hold those in power accountable, and inform the public accurately, which are essential functions in a democratic society.

Solution: Media outlets sometimes choose to focus on a particular aspect of a story because they believe it will make the story more interesting, engaging, or appealing to their audience. This could be due to the sensational nature of that aspect, its potential to evoke strong emotions, or its perceived relevance to the target readership or viewership. This focus can sometimes be a strategy to capture attention, but it may also lead to a less comprehensive or balanced portrayal of the overall story.