Understanding Media Summary Class 7 Civics Chapter 6

Introduction

• TV, radio and newspapers are a form of media that reaches millions of people, or the masses, across the country and the world and, thus, they are called mass media.

Media and Technology

Newspapers, television and radio can reach millions of people because they use certain technologies.

• Print Media: Newspapers and Magazines.
• Electronic Media: TV and Radio.

Television images travel huge distances through satellites and cables which allows us to view news and entertainment channels from other parts of the world. 

Media and money

• The different technologies that mass media use are expensive. 
• In a news studio, it is not only the newsreader who needs to be paid but also a number of other people who help put the broadcast together.
• Due to these costs, the mass media needs a great deal of money to do its work.
• The mass media earns money is by advertising different things like cars, chocolates, clothes, mobile phones, etc.

Media and Democracy

• In a democracy, the media plays a very important role in providing news and discussing events taking place in the country and the world.
• Some of the ways in which they can do this is by writing letters to the concerned minister, organising a public protest, starting a signature campaign, asking the government to rethink its programme, etc.

Independent Media

• An independent media is important in a democracy.
• However, the reality is that media is far from independent because of two reasons:
  • The government has on the media.
  • Business houses control the media. 

Setting agendas

• The media also plays an important role in deciding what stories to focus on, and therefore, decides on what is newsworthy. 
• By focusing on particular issues, the media influences our thoughts, feelings and actions, and brings those issues to our attention.
• There are several instances when the media fails to focus on issues that are significant in our lives.