Textbook: Mass Media and History | History and Political Science Class 10 (Maharashtra Board) PDF Download

 Page 1


32
5. Mass Media and History
Newspapers : ‘Newspaper’ is a 
publication, which mainly prints news, 
editorials, people’s opinions, entertaining 
or other supplementary content. It is 
printed and distributed regularly at a 
definite time.
Newspapers provide various local, 
national and international news. 
Newspapers are historical documents, 
which record current events.
Precursors of Newspapers : Before 
the beginning of the common era there 
was a custom in Egypt of placing 
inscriptions with royal decrees at public 
place. Emperor Asoka also resorted to 
similar method to reach out to his subjects. 
In the Roman Empire, royal decrees were 
written on papers and those were 
distributed in all regions. They also 
contained the information of various 
events taking place in the nation and its 
capital. During Julius Caesar’s reign 
newspapers known as Acta Diurna, 
meaning acts of everyday, used to be 
placed, at public places in Rome. It was 
a very effective way of conveying royal 
commands to people. In the 7th century 
C.E. royal dictates were distributed among 
people at public places. In England hand-
outs used to be distributed occasionally, 
giving information about wars or important 
events. Travellers arriving from faraway 
would add spice to stories from those 
places and narrate it to local people. The 
ambassadors of a king posted at various 
places would send back important news 
to the royal court.
‘Bengal Gazette’ : The first English 
newspaper of India was printed on 29th 
 5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
Mass Media contains two words. 
‘Mass’ in this context means an 
aggregation of people. ‘Media’ means 
various modes of communication. Thus, 
mass media is a field of mass 
communication. We can easily send some 
information to a far away destination 
through a medium of communication. In 
the olden days, a crier would run in the 
streets beating drums and crying out 
important news according to the orders of 
the king. The news would spread among 
people by word of mouth.
5.2 History of Mass Media
Printing technology and newspapers 
were introduced in India after the arrival 
of the British. People started receiving 
printed news through newspapers. 
Newspapers became the first mass medium 
of circulating information and knowledge 
among people.
Think about it.
What could be the method of 
sending a news to Delhi if there were 
a famine in Bihar in the Mughal period ? 
How much time would it take for the 
aid to reach Bihar after the Badshah 
heard the news ?
5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
5.2 History of Mass Media
5.3 Why do we need Mass Media?
5.4 Critical understanding of the 
information received through Mass 
Media
5.5 Mass Media and Professional 
Opportunities
Page 2


32
5. Mass Media and History
Newspapers : ‘Newspaper’ is a 
publication, which mainly prints news, 
editorials, people’s opinions, entertaining 
or other supplementary content. It is 
printed and distributed regularly at a 
definite time.
Newspapers provide various local, 
national and international news. 
Newspapers are historical documents, 
which record current events.
Precursors of Newspapers : Before 
the beginning of the common era there 
was a custom in Egypt of placing 
inscriptions with royal decrees at public 
place. Emperor Asoka also resorted to 
similar method to reach out to his subjects. 
In the Roman Empire, royal decrees were 
written on papers and those were 
distributed in all regions. They also 
contained the information of various 
events taking place in the nation and its 
capital. During Julius Caesar’s reign 
newspapers known as Acta Diurna, 
meaning acts of everyday, used to be 
placed, at public places in Rome. It was 
a very effective way of conveying royal 
commands to people. In the 7th century 
C.E. royal dictates were distributed among 
people at public places. In England hand-
outs used to be distributed occasionally, 
giving information about wars or important 
events. Travellers arriving from faraway 
would add spice to stories from those 
places and narrate it to local people. The 
ambassadors of a king posted at various 
places would send back important news 
to the royal court.
‘Bengal Gazette’ : The first English 
newspaper of India was printed on 29th 
 5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
Mass Media contains two words. 
‘Mass’ in this context means an 
aggregation of people. ‘Media’ means 
various modes of communication. Thus, 
mass media is a field of mass 
communication. We can easily send some 
information to a far away destination 
through a medium of communication. In 
the olden days, a crier would run in the 
streets beating drums and crying out 
important news according to the orders of 
the king. The news would spread among 
people by word of mouth.
5.2 History of Mass Media
Printing technology and newspapers 
were introduced in India after the arrival 
of the British. People started receiving 
printed news through newspapers. 
Newspapers became the first mass medium 
of circulating information and knowledge 
among people.
Think about it.
What could be the method of 
sending a news to Delhi if there were 
a famine in Bihar in the Mughal period ? 
How much time would it take for the 
aid to reach Bihar after the Badshah 
heard the news ?
5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
5.2 History of Mass Media
5.3 Why do we need Mass Media?
5.4 Critical understanding of the 
information received through Mass 
Media
5.5 Mass Media and Professional 
Opportunities
33
The news printed in Darpan can be 
reviewed to know 
about the political, 
economic, social and 
cultural events of 
those times. Here are 
a few news titles as 
examples : (1) The 
Accounts of 
Expenditure from the 
Three Administrative Divisions of the 
East India Company (2) The Danger of 
Russian Attack on the Nation (3) 
Appointment of a Committee for 
Cleanliness of the City (4) Remarriage of 
Hindu Widows (5)  The Inception of 
Theatre at Calcutta (6) Achievements of 
January 1780. It 
was named as 
‘Calcutta General 
Advertiser’ or 
‘Bengal Gazette’. It 
was started by James 
Augustus Hickey, an 
Irish gentleman.
‘Darpan’ :  The 
newspaper, ‘Darpan’ was started in 1832 
in Mumbai. Balshastri Jambhekar was the 
editor of Darpan.
James Augustus Hickey
Make a list.
Make a list of national leaders in 
the pre-independence period and the 
newspapers started by them. 
Let each student in the class 
bring a cutting of interesting news. 
Create a journal from the collection 
of news.
Do this.
Balshastri Jambhekar
Do you know ?
Balshastri Jambhekar is referred 
to as the ‘First Editor’ by virtue of 
his being the editor of the first 
Marathi newspaper. His birth date, 
6th January is observed in 
Maharashtra as the ‘Patrakar Din’ 
(Journalists’ Day). 
Raja Ram Mohan Roy in England. 
Reporting of such news throws light on 
various historical events of those days.
‘Prabhakar’ : This newspaper was 
started by Bhau Mahajan. The history of 
French revolution and ‘Shatpatre’, the 
letters by Lokhitvadi (Gopal Hari Deshmukh) 
aimed at creating social awareness, were 
published in this newspaper.
‘Dnyanoday’ : ‘Dnyanoday’ printed 
the map of Asia in 1842 and the map of 
Europe in 1851. The honour of printing 
an illustration in an Indian newspaper for 
the first time, goes to Dnyanoday. The 
news of installation of telegraph, used for 
electrically transmitting a news can be 
seen in Dnyanoday. The news of the 
starting of railways in India was printed 
in Dnyanoday under the title, Chakya 
Mhasoba meaning ‘Mhasoba with wheels’. 
It had also printed the news of the Indian 
war of Independence of 1857.
Newspapers, in those times were a 
very important medium of creating social 
awareness. A newspaper named 
‘Induprakash’ supported widow remarriage 
in a big way. ‘Deenbandhu’, a newspaper 
representing the masses of the Indian 
society (Bahujansamaj), was started by 
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule’s close associate, 
Krishnarao Bhalekar.  We get to know 
about the issues relating to the masses 
through this newspaper.
‘Kesari’ and ‘Maratha’ : ‘Kesari’ 
and ‘Maratha’, the two newspapers are 
indicative of an important stage in the 
Page 3


32
5. Mass Media and History
Newspapers : ‘Newspaper’ is a 
publication, which mainly prints news, 
editorials, people’s opinions, entertaining 
or other supplementary content. It is 
printed and distributed regularly at a 
definite time.
Newspapers provide various local, 
national and international news. 
Newspapers are historical documents, 
which record current events.
Precursors of Newspapers : Before 
the beginning of the common era there 
was a custom in Egypt of placing 
inscriptions with royal decrees at public 
place. Emperor Asoka also resorted to 
similar method to reach out to his subjects. 
In the Roman Empire, royal decrees were 
written on papers and those were 
distributed in all regions. They also 
contained the information of various 
events taking place in the nation and its 
capital. During Julius Caesar’s reign 
newspapers known as Acta Diurna, 
meaning acts of everyday, used to be 
placed, at public places in Rome. It was 
a very effective way of conveying royal 
commands to people. In the 7th century 
C.E. royal dictates were distributed among 
people at public places. In England hand-
outs used to be distributed occasionally, 
giving information about wars or important 
events. Travellers arriving from faraway 
would add spice to stories from those 
places and narrate it to local people. The 
ambassadors of a king posted at various 
places would send back important news 
to the royal court.
‘Bengal Gazette’ : The first English 
newspaper of India was printed on 29th 
 5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
Mass Media contains two words. 
‘Mass’ in this context means an 
aggregation of people. ‘Media’ means 
various modes of communication. Thus, 
mass media is a field of mass 
communication. We can easily send some 
information to a far away destination 
through a medium of communication. In 
the olden days, a crier would run in the 
streets beating drums and crying out 
important news according to the orders of 
the king. The news would spread among 
people by word of mouth.
5.2 History of Mass Media
Printing technology and newspapers 
were introduced in India after the arrival 
of the British. People started receiving 
printed news through newspapers. 
Newspapers became the first mass medium 
of circulating information and knowledge 
among people.
Think about it.
What could be the method of 
sending a news to Delhi if there were 
a famine in Bihar in the Mughal period ? 
How much time would it take for the 
aid to reach Bihar after the Badshah 
heard the news ?
5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
5.2 History of Mass Media
5.3 Why do we need Mass Media?
5.4 Critical understanding of the 
information received through Mass 
Media
5.5 Mass Media and Professional 
Opportunities
33
The news printed in Darpan can be 
reviewed to know 
about the political, 
economic, social and 
cultural events of 
those times. Here are 
a few news titles as 
examples : (1) The 
Accounts of 
Expenditure from the 
Three Administrative Divisions of the 
East India Company (2) The Danger of 
Russian Attack on the Nation (3) 
Appointment of a Committee for 
Cleanliness of the City (4) Remarriage of 
Hindu Widows (5)  The Inception of 
Theatre at Calcutta (6) Achievements of 
January 1780. It 
was named as 
‘Calcutta General 
Advertiser’ or 
‘Bengal Gazette’. It 
was started by James 
Augustus Hickey, an 
Irish gentleman.
‘Darpan’ :  The 
newspaper, ‘Darpan’ was started in 1832 
in Mumbai. Balshastri Jambhekar was the 
editor of Darpan.
James Augustus Hickey
Make a list.
Make a list of national leaders in 
the pre-independence period and the 
newspapers started by them. 
Let each student in the class 
bring a cutting of interesting news. 
Create a journal from the collection 
of news.
Do this.
Balshastri Jambhekar
Do you know ?
Balshastri Jambhekar is referred 
to as the ‘First Editor’ by virtue of 
his being the editor of the first 
Marathi newspaper. His birth date, 
6th January is observed in 
Maharashtra as the ‘Patrakar Din’ 
(Journalists’ Day). 
Raja Ram Mohan Roy in England. 
Reporting of such news throws light on 
various historical events of those days.
‘Prabhakar’ : This newspaper was 
started by Bhau Mahajan. The history of 
French revolution and ‘Shatpatre’, the 
letters by Lokhitvadi (Gopal Hari Deshmukh) 
aimed at creating social awareness, were 
published in this newspaper.
‘Dnyanoday’ : ‘Dnyanoday’ printed 
the map of Asia in 1842 and the map of 
Europe in 1851. The honour of printing 
an illustration in an Indian newspaper for 
the first time, goes to Dnyanoday. The 
news of installation of telegraph, used for 
electrically transmitting a news can be 
seen in Dnyanoday. The news of the 
starting of railways in India was printed 
in Dnyanoday under the title, Chakya 
Mhasoba meaning ‘Mhasoba with wheels’. 
It had also printed the news of the Indian 
war of Independence of 1857.
Newspapers, in those times were a 
very important medium of creating social 
awareness. A newspaper named 
‘Induprakash’ supported widow remarriage 
in a big way. ‘Deenbandhu’, a newspaper 
representing the masses of the Indian 
society (Bahujansamaj), was started by 
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule’s close associate, 
Krishnarao Bhalekar.  We get to know 
about the issues relating to the masses 
through this newspaper.
‘Kesari’ and ‘Maratha’ : ‘Kesari’ 
and ‘Maratha’, the two newspapers are 
indicative of an important stage in the 
34
Do you know ?
In the British India the first 
English news bulletin was broadcasted 
on 23rd July 1927 from the Mumbai 
radio station of the Indian 
Broadcasting Company (IBC). Later, 
the Kolkata radio station of IBC 
started a  news bulletin in Bengali.
history of Indian newspapers before 
independence. Gopal Ganesh Agarkar and 
Bal Gangandhar Tilak started these papers 
in 1881. They spoke about the social and 
political issues of that period. Kesari 
began to publish articles about the 
nationwide situations, books in the native 
languages and the politics in England.
In the 21st century newspapers have 
continued to fulfil an important role. It 
was acknowledged the fourth column of 
democracy.
Magazines and Journals :  Magazines 
and Journals are periodical publications. 
This category includes publications, which 
are weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, 
quarterly, six monthly, annual, etc.  There 
may be some chronicles which are 
published at no fixed time.
of Maharashtra’s history and social 
movements.
Currently there are many periodicals 
devoted to Indian history. Marathi journals 
such as ‘Bharatiya Itihas ani Samskruti’ 
and ‘Marathwada Itihas Parishad Patrika’ 
may be cited as examples. 
Electronic or Digital Journalism : 
These are ultra-modern periodicals form 
a part of Electronic of Digital journalism.  
History is a prime subject of interest for 
these periodicals as well. Many web news 
portals, social media, web channels, ‘You 
Tube’, etc. make historical content 
available to the audience /readers. 
Radio :  ‘Indian Broadcasting 
Company’ (IBC), a private radio company 
was the first one to broadcast daily 
programmes. Later the same company 
was taken over by the 
British Government and 
named as, ‘Indian State 
Broadcasting Service 
(ISBS). On 8th June 
1936 it was renamed, as 
‘All India Radio (AIR)’.
After Independence, AIR became an 
integral part of the Ministry of Information 
and Broadcasting (India). Initially, it 
broadcasted Governmental programmes 
and schemes. It was named as ‘Akashvani’  on the suggestion of the famous poet 
Pandit Narendra Sharma. Akashvanai 
Let us search and find out :
Apart from the journals cited 
above there are many more journals 
related to research in history, published 
in Marathi, Hindi and English by 
various institutions and universities. 
Search and find out about them with 
the help of internet.
Balshastri Jambhekar started the first 
monthly magazine in Marathi. It was 
named, ‘Digdarshan’. Among the 
periodicals  ‘Pragati’, now a defunct 
journal, was started (1929) and edited by 
Tryambak Shankar Shejwalkar. He worte 
regularly in this historiographical journal 
In recent times many newspapers 
have introduced e-newspapers. The 
e-newspapers are being received well 
by the readers.
Learn to read e-newspapers with 
the help of your teachers.
Do this.
Page 4


32
5. Mass Media and History
Newspapers : ‘Newspaper’ is a 
publication, which mainly prints news, 
editorials, people’s opinions, entertaining 
or other supplementary content. It is 
printed and distributed regularly at a 
definite time.
Newspapers provide various local, 
national and international news. 
Newspapers are historical documents, 
which record current events.
Precursors of Newspapers : Before 
the beginning of the common era there 
was a custom in Egypt of placing 
inscriptions with royal decrees at public 
place. Emperor Asoka also resorted to 
similar method to reach out to his subjects. 
In the Roman Empire, royal decrees were 
written on papers and those were 
distributed in all regions. They also 
contained the information of various 
events taking place in the nation and its 
capital. During Julius Caesar’s reign 
newspapers known as Acta Diurna, 
meaning acts of everyday, used to be 
placed, at public places in Rome. It was 
a very effective way of conveying royal 
commands to people. In the 7th century 
C.E. royal dictates were distributed among 
people at public places. In England hand-
outs used to be distributed occasionally, 
giving information about wars or important 
events. Travellers arriving from faraway 
would add spice to stories from those 
places and narrate it to local people. The 
ambassadors of a king posted at various 
places would send back important news 
to the royal court.
‘Bengal Gazette’ : The first English 
newspaper of India was printed on 29th 
 5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
Mass Media contains two words. 
‘Mass’ in this context means an 
aggregation of people. ‘Media’ means 
various modes of communication. Thus, 
mass media is a field of mass 
communication. We can easily send some 
information to a far away destination 
through a medium of communication. In 
the olden days, a crier would run in the 
streets beating drums and crying out 
important news according to the orders of 
the king. The news would spread among 
people by word of mouth.
5.2 History of Mass Media
Printing technology and newspapers 
were introduced in India after the arrival 
of the British. People started receiving 
printed news through newspapers. 
Newspapers became the first mass medium 
of circulating information and knowledge 
among people.
Think about it.
What could be the method of 
sending a news to Delhi if there were 
a famine in Bihar in the Mughal period ? 
How much time would it take for the 
aid to reach Bihar after the Badshah 
heard the news ?
5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
5.2 History of Mass Media
5.3 Why do we need Mass Media?
5.4 Critical understanding of the 
information received through Mass 
Media
5.5 Mass Media and Professional 
Opportunities
33
The news printed in Darpan can be 
reviewed to know 
about the political, 
economic, social and 
cultural events of 
those times. Here are 
a few news titles as 
examples : (1) The 
Accounts of 
Expenditure from the 
Three Administrative Divisions of the 
East India Company (2) The Danger of 
Russian Attack on the Nation (3) 
Appointment of a Committee for 
Cleanliness of the City (4) Remarriage of 
Hindu Widows (5)  The Inception of 
Theatre at Calcutta (6) Achievements of 
January 1780. It 
was named as 
‘Calcutta General 
Advertiser’ or 
‘Bengal Gazette’. It 
was started by James 
Augustus Hickey, an 
Irish gentleman.
‘Darpan’ :  The 
newspaper, ‘Darpan’ was started in 1832 
in Mumbai. Balshastri Jambhekar was the 
editor of Darpan.
James Augustus Hickey
Make a list.
Make a list of national leaders in 
the pre-independence period and the 
newspapers started by them. 
Let each student in the class 
bring a cutting of interesting news. 
Create a journal from the collection 
of news.
Do this.
Balshastri Jambhekar
Do you know ?
Balshastri Jambhekar is referred 
to as the ‘First Editor’ by virtue of 
his being the editor of the first 
Marathi newspaper. His birth date, 
6th January is observed in 
Maharashtra as the ‘Patrakar Din’ 
(Journalists’ Day). 
Raja Ram Mohan Roy in England. 
Reporting of such news throws light on 
various historical events of those days.
‘Prabhakar’ : This newspaper was 
started by Bhau Mahajan. The history of 
French revolution and ‘Shatpatre’, the 
letters by Lokhitvadi (Gopal Hari Deshmukh) 
aimed at creating social awareness, were 
published in this newspaper.
‘Dnyanoday’ : ‘Dnyanoday’ printed 
the map of Asia in 1842 and the map of 
Europe in 1851. The honour of printing 
an illustration in an Indian newspaper for 
the first time, goes to Dnyanoday. The 
news of installation of telegraph, used for 
electrically transmitting a news can be 
seen in Dnyanoday. The news of the 
starting of railways in India was printed 
in Dnyanoday under the title, Chakya 
Mhasoba meaning ‘Mhasoba with wheels’. 
It had also printed the news of the Indian 
war of Independence of 1857.
Newspapers, in those times were a 
very important medium of creating social 
awareness. A newspaper named 
‘Induprakash’ supported widow remarriage 
in a big way. ‘Deenbandhu’, a newspaper 
representing the masses of the Indian 
society (Bahujansamaj), was started by 
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule’s close associate, 
Krishnarao Bhalekar.  We get to know 
about the issues relating to the masses 
through this newspaper.
‘Kesari’ and ‘Maratha’ : ‘Kesari’ 
and ‘Maratha’, the two newspapers are 
indicative of an important stage in the 
34
Do you know ?
In the British India the first 
English news bulletin was broadcasted 
on 23rd July 1927 from the Mumbai 
radio station of the Indian 
Broadcasting Company (IBC). Later, 
the Kolkata radio station of IBC 
started a  news bulletin in Bengali.
history of Indian newspapers before 
independence. Gopal Ganesh Agarkar and 
Bal Gangandhar Tilak started these papers 
in 1881. They spoke about the social and 
political issues of that period. Kesari 
began to publish articles about the 
nationwide situations, books in the native 
languages and the politics in England.
In the 21st century newspapers have 
continued to fulfil an important role. It 
was acknowledged the fourth column of 
democracy.
Magazines and Journals :  Magazines 
and Journals are periodical publications. 
This category includes publications, which 
are weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, 
quarterly, six monthly, annual, etc.  There 
may be some chronicles which are 
published at no fixed time.
of Maharashtra’s history and social 
movements.
Currently there are many periodicals 
devoted to Indian history. Marathi journals 
such as ‘Bharatiya Itihas ani Samskruti’ 
and ‘Marathwada Itihas Parishad Patrika’ 
may be cited as examples. 
Electronic or Digital Journalism : 
These are ultra-modern periodicals form 
a part of Electronic of Digital journalism.  
History is a prime subject of interest for 
these periodicals as well. Many web news 
portals, social media, web channels, ‘You 
Tube’, etc. make historical content 
available to the audience /readers. 
Radio :  ‘Indian Broadcasting 
Company’ (IBC), a private radio company 
was the first one to broadcast daily 
programmes. Later the same company 
was taken over by the 
British Government and 
named as, ‘Indian State 
Broadcasting Service 
(ISBS). On 8th June 
1936 it was renamed, as 
‘All India Radio (AIR)’.
After Independence, AIR became an 
integral part of the Ministry of Information 
and Broadcasting (India). Initially, it 
broadcasted Governmental programmes 
and schemes. It was named as ‘Akashvani’  on the suggestion of the famous poet 
Pandit Narendra Sharma. Akashvanai 
Let us search and find out :
Apart from the journals cited 
above there are many more journals 
related to research in history, published 
in Marathi, Hindi and English by 
various institutions and universities. 
Search and find out about them with 
the help of internet.
Balshastri Jambhekar started the first 
monthly magazine in Marathi. It was 
named, ‘Digdarshan’. Among the 
periodicals  ‘Pragati’, now a defunct 
journal, was started (1929) and edited by 
Tryambak Shankar Shejwalkar. He worte 
regularly in this historiographical journal 
In recent times many newspapers 
have introduced e-newspapers. The 
e-newspapers are being received well 
by the readers.
Learn to read e-newspapers with 
the help of your teachers.
Do this.
35
other alternative to television for watching 
an event as it actually happened. 
5.4 Critical understanding of the 
information received through Mass 
Media
Any information received through 
mass media needs to be reviewed critically. 
The news or information in the media may 
not always represent exact truth. We need 
to scan it very carefully. There is a very 
famous event of unauthentic information 
appearing in print in Germany. ‘Stern’, a 
German weekly magazine had purchased 
a number of so called handwritten diaries 
of Adolf Hitler. It sold them to various 
publication companies. The diaries were 
verified for their authenticity and 
subsequently the news appeared in the 
print. However, later those diaries were 
proved to be forged. It becomes apparent 
from this example that we need to be very 
careful about the information published by 
the media.
5.5 Mass Media and Professional 
Opportunities
Newspapers have to fulfil the task of 
providing fresh news to its readers. It is 
also necessary to unfold the background 
of an event in the news. At such times, 
newspapers have to resort to history. 
While reporting news in detail, reporters 
try to compare it with parallel events, 
which happened in the past. The past 
event may be printed in a separate frame. 
broadcasts various entertainment, 
awareness creating and literary 
programmes. It also broadcasts special 
programmes for farmers, workers, the 
youth and women. The ‘Vividh Bharati’ 
programmes are broadcasted in 24 regional 
languages as well as 146 dialects of 
Indian languages. Lately, various new 
channels like ‘Radio Mirchi’ are providing 
radio services. 
Television : The ‘Delhi Doordarshan 
Centre’ was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra 
Prasad, the first Indian President on 15th 
September 1959. Doordarshan’s Mumbai 
centre began to telecast its programmes 
on 1st May 1972. Colour television was 
introduced on 15th August 1982. In 1991 
the Indian government granted permission 
to private national and international 
channels to telecast in India. Thus, it  
became possible for Indians to watch 
international events on television. 
5.3  Why do we need Mass Media ?
We need mass media to facilitate free 
flow of information to all strata of the 
society. Editorials, various columns and 
supplements are essential parts of 
newspapers. Readers are also ensured of 
a platform to voice their opinions. 
Newspapers can help in making the 
democracy stronger. 
Television is an audio-visual medium. 
It was possible for this medium to cross 
the inherent limitations of newspapers and 
the radio and show the actual visuals of 
an event to people. So far, there is no 
Collect information and write a 
report about the television channels in 
India. Do this as a group activity.
Do this.
History
Editorials
Reviews
Columns
Articles
News
‘On This 
Day in 
History’
Page 5


32
5. Mass Media and History
Newspapers : ‘Newspaper’ is a 
publication, which mainly prints news, 
editorials, people’s opinions, entertaining 
or other supplementary content. It is 
printed and distributed regularly at a 
definite time.
Newspapers provide various local, 
national and international news. 
Newspapers are historical documents, 
which record current events.
Precursors of Newspapers : Before 
the beginning of the common era there 
was a custom in Egypt of placing 
inscriptions with royal decrees at public 
place. Emperor Asoka also resorted to 
similar method to reach out to his subjects. 
In the Roman Empire, royal decrees were 
written on papers and those were 
distributed in all regions. They also 
contained the information of various 
events taking place in the nation and its 
capital. During Julius Caesar’s reign 
newspapers known as Acta Diurna, 
meaning acts of everyday, used to be 
placed, at public places in Rome. It was 
a very effective way of conveying royal 
commands to people. In the 7th century 
C.E. royal dictates were distributed among 
people at public places. In England hand-
outs used to be distributed occasionally, 
giving information about wars or important 
events. Travellers arriving from faraway 
would add spice to stories from those 
places and narrate it to local people. The 
ambassadors of a king posted at various 
places would send back important news 
to the royal court.
‘Bengal Gazette’ : The first English 
newspaper of India was printed on 29th 
 5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
Mass Media contains two words. 
‘Mass’ in this context means an 
aggregation of people. ‘Media’ means 
various modes of communication. Thus, 
mass media is a field of mass 
communication. We can easily send some 
information to a far away destination 
through a medium of communication. In 
the olden days, a crier would run in the 
streets beating drums and crying out 
important news according to the orders of 
the king. The news would spread among 
people by word of mouth.
5.2 History of Mass Media
Printing technology and newspapers 
were introduced in India after the arrival 
of the British. People started receiving 
printed news through newspapers. 
Newspapers became the first mass medium 
of circulating information and knowledge 
among people.
Think about it.
What could be the method of 
sending a news to Delhi if there were 
a famine in Bihar in the Mughal period ? 
How much time would it take for the 
aid to reach Bihar after the Badshah 
heard the news ?
5.1 Introduction to Mass Media
5.2 History of Mass Media
5.3 Why do we need Mass Media?
5.4 Critical understanding of the 
information received through Mass 
Media
5.5 Mass Media and Professional 
Opportunities
33
The news printed in Darpan can be 
reviewed to know 
about the political, 
economic, social and 
cultural events of 
those times. Here are 
a few news titles as 
examples : (1) The 
Accounts of 
Expenditure from the 
Three Administrative Divisions of the 
East India Company (2) The Danger of 
Russian Attack on the Nation (3) 
Appointment of a Committee for 
Cleanliness of the City (4) Remarriage of 
Hindu Widows (5)  The Inception of 
Theatre at Calcutta (6) Achievements of 
January 1780. It 
was named as 
‘Calcutta General 
Advertiser’ or 
‘Bengal Gazette’. It 
was started by James 
Augustus Hickey, an 
Irish gentleman.
‘Darpan’ :  The 
newspaper, ‘Darpan’ was started in 1832 
in Mumbai. Balshastri Jambhekar was the 
editor of Darpan.
James Augustus Hickey
Make a list.
Make a list of national leaders in 
the pre-independence period and the 
newspapers started by them. 
Let each student in the class 
bring a cutting of interesting news. 
Create a journal from the collection 
of news.
Do this.
Balshastri Jambhekar
Do you know ?
Balshastri Jambhekar is referred 
to as the ‘First Editor’ by virtue of 
his being the editor of the first 
Marathi newspaper. His birth date, 
6th January is observed in 
Maharashtra as the ‘Patrakar Din’ 
(Journalists’ Day). 
Raja Ram Mohan Roy in England. 
Reporting of such news throws light on 
various historical events of those days.
‘Prabhakar’ : This newspaper was 
started by Bhau Mahajan. The history of 
French revolution and ‘Shatpatre’, the 
letters by Lokhitvadi (Gopal Hari Deshmukh) 
aimed at creating social awareness, were 
published in this newspaper.
‘Dnyanoday’ : ‘Dnyanoday’ printed 
the map of Asia in 1842 and the map of 
Europe in 1851. The honour of printing 
an illustration in an Indian newspaper for 
the first time, goes to Dnyanoday. The 
news of installation of telegraph, used for 
electrically transmitting a news can be 
seen in Dnyanoday. The news of the 
starting of railways in India was printed 
in Dnyanoday under the title, Chakya 
Mhasoba meaning ‘Mhasoba with wheels’. 
It had also printed the news of the Indian 
war of Independence of 1857.
Newspapers, in those times were a 
very important medium of creating social 
awareness. A newspaper named 
‘Induprakash’ supported widow remarriage 
in a big way. ‘Deenbandhu’, a newspaper 
representing the masses of the Indian 
society (Bahujansamaj), was started by 
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule’s close associate, 
Krishnarao Bhalekar.  We get to know 
about the issues relating to the masses 
through this newspaper.
‘Kesari’ and ‘Maratha’ : ‘Kesari’ 
and ‘Maratha’, the two newspapers are 
indicative of an important stage in the 
34
Do you know ?
In the British India the first 
English news bulletin was broadcasted 
on 23rd July 1927 from the Mumbai 
radio station of the Indian 
Broadcasting Company (IBC). Later, 
the Kolkata radio station of IBC 
started a  news bulletin in Bengali.
history of Indian newspapers before 
independence. Gopal Ganesh Agarkar and 
Bal Gangandhar Tilak started these papers 
in 1881. They spoke about the social and 
political issues of that period. Kesari 
began to publish articles about the 
nationwide situations, books in the native 
languages and the politics in England.
In the 21st century newspapers have 
continued to fulfil an important role. It 
was acknowledged the fourth column of 
democracy.
Magazines and Journals :  Magazines 
and Journals are periodical publications. 
This category includes publications, which 
are weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, 
quarterly, six monthly, annual, etc.  There 
may be some chronicles which are 
published at no fixed time.
of Maharashtra’s history and social 
movements.
Currently there are many periodicals 
devoted to Indian history. Marathi journals 
such as ‘Bharatiya Itihas ani Samskruti’ 
and ‘Marathwada Itihas Parishad Patrika’ 
may be cited as examples. 
Electronic or Digital Journalism : 
These are ultra-modern periodicals form 
a part of Electronic of Digital journalism.  
History is a prime subject of interest for 
these periodicals as well. Many web news 
portals, social media, web channels, ‘You 
Tube’, etc. make historical content 
available to the audience /readers. 
Radio :  ‘Indian Broadcasting 
Company’ (IBC), a private radio company 
was the first one to broadcast daily 
programmes. Later the same company 
was taken over by the 
British Government and 
named as, ‘Indian State 
Broadcasting Service 
(ISBS). On 8th June 
1936 it was renamed, as 
‘All India Radio (AIR)’.
After Independence, AIR became an 
integral part of the Ministry of Information 
and Broadcasting (India). Initially, it 
broadcasted Governmental programmes 
and schemes. It was named as ‘Akashvani’  on the suggestion of the famous poet 
Pandit Narendra Sharma. Akashvanai 
Let us search and find out :
Apart from the journals cited 
above there are many more journals 
related to research in history, published 
in Marathi, Hindi and English by 
various institutions and universities. 
Search and find out about them with 
the help of internet.
Balshastri Jambhekar started the first 
monthly magazine in Marathi. It was 
named, ‘Digdarshan’. Among the 
periodicals  ‘Pragati’, now a defunct 
journal, was started (1929) and edited by 
Tryambak Shankar Shejwalkar. He worte 
regularly in this historiographical journal 
In recent times many newspapers 
have introduced e-newspapers. The 
e-newspapers are being received well 
by the readers.
Learn to read e-newspapers with 
the help of your teachers.
Do this.
35
other alternative to television for watching 
an event as it actually happened. 
5.4 Critical understanding of the 
information received through Mass 
Media
Any information received through 
mass media needs to be reviewed critically. 
The news or information in the media may 
not always represent exact truth. We need 
to scan it very carefully. There is a very 
famous event of unauthentic information 
appearing in print in Germany. ‘Stern’, a 
German weekly magazine had purchased 
a number of so called handwritten diaries 
of Adolf Hitler. It sold them to various 
publication companies. The diaries were 
verified for their authenticity and 
subsequently the news appeared in the 
print. However, later those diaries were 
proved to be forged. It becomes apparent 
from this example that we need to be very 
careful about the information published by 
the media.
5.5 Mass Media and Professional 
Opportunities
Newspapers have to fulfil the task of 
providing fresh news to its readers. It is 
also necessary to unfold the background 
of an event in the news. At such times, 
newspapers have to resort to history. 
While reporting news in detail, reporters 
try to compare it with parallel events, 
which happened in the past. The past 
event may be printed in a separate frame. 
broadcasts various entertainment, 
awareness creating and literary 
programmes. It also broadcasts special 
programmes for farmers, workers, the 
youth and women. The ‘Vividh Bharati’ 
programmes are broadcasted in 24 regional 
languages as well as 146 dialects of 
Indian languages. Lately, various new 
channels like ‘Radio Mirchi’ are providing 
radio services. 
Television : The ‘Delhi Doordarshan 
Centre’ was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra 
Prasad, the first Indian President on 15th 
September 1959. Doordarshan’s Mumbai 
centre began to telecast its programmes 
on 1st May 1972. Colour television was 
introduced on 15th August 1982. In 1991 
the Indian government granted permission 
to private national and international 
channels to telecast in India. Thus, it  
became possible for Indians to watch 
international events on television. 
5.3  Why do we need Mass Media ?
We need mass media to facilitate free 
flow of information to all strata of the 
society. Editorials, various columns and 
supplements are essential parts of 
newspapers. Readers are also ensured of 
a platform to voice their opinions. 
Newspapers can help in making the 
democracy stronger. 
Television is an audio-visual medium. 
It was possible for this medium to cross 
the inherent limitations of newspapers and 
the radio and show the actual visuals of 
an event to people. So far, there is no 
Collect information and write a 
report about the television channels in 
India. Do this as a group activity.
Do this.
History
Editorials
Reviews
Columns
Articles
News
‘On This 
Day in 
History’
36
Thus the reader gets access to additional 
information and he can get better insights 
about the current news.
Newspapers print columns about 
historical information, appearing under 
headings such as, ‘50 Years Ago’ or ‘100 
Years Ago’, etc.  Such columns are based 
on historical documents or written history. 
These columns provide historical 
information about economic, social, 
political events in the past and also events 
of historical significance.
History is also essential in planning 
radio programmes. For example, 
Akashvani has preserved recordings of all 
the speeches delivered each year by the 
prime ministers of India on 15th August.  
Akashvani invites historians as experts 
for discussions on various occasions such 
as the anniversaries of birth or death of 
national leaders, anniversaries of historical 
events, etc. Lectures on the contribution 
of various national leaders need to be 
supported by historical information. 
Programmes like ‘On This Day in History’ 
are also an integral part of the daily 
programmes of Akashvani.
Television channels also telecast 
programmes based on history. Doordarshan 
and other television channels help in 
creating interest in history among people 
through their historical shows and serials. 
The mythological and historical serials like 
‘Ramayana’, ‘Mahabharata’, ‘Bharat ek 
Khoj’ and ‘Raja Shivchhatrapati’ attracted 
a very large audience. While producing 
this type of programmes, maintaining 
accuracy with regard to the presentation of 
environment, outfits, weaponry, life styles, 
lingual expression, etc. is essential. One 
needs to have a deep understanding of 
history of the concerned period. 
Currently channels like ‘Discovery’, 
‘National Geographic’, ‘History’, etc. 
have opened a rich treasure of global 
history for the audience. It has enabled 
people to view the historical and 
geographic wonders at home. To make 
such programmes more entertaining some 
parts of the serial are actually enacted by 
actors such as the characters of heroic 
men and women, sportsmen, army chiefs, 
etc. Beside these serials about ancient 
monuments, forts, histories of empires and 
also the history of culinary arts are 
watched by a large number of people 
Try to do this.
Try to collect information about 
the role of underground radio centres 
in the ‘Quit India’ movement of 1942 
with the help of your teachers. 
Newspapers also publish 
crossword puzzles based on history. 
Try to create similar crossword 
puzzles. For example use fort names 
to create a puzzle. 
Do this.
Newspapers occasionally publish 
supplements to the regular edition or 
special issues. For example, World War  I 
commenced in 1914. Year 2014 marked 
the 100th year of this event. In order to 
be able to publish a newspaper supplement 
or a special issue to commemorate the 
occasion, one needs to review its history. 
In 2017, seventy five years were completed 
after the announcement of ‘Quit India’ 
movement.  On such occasions newspapers 
highlight the event through various articles, 
editorials, columns like ‘what happened 
in history on this day’, reviews, etc. The 
knowledge of history is essential for 
writings of such type.