Page 196 - SST Class 07

for discussion provide an opportunity for different
programmes and people, and popularise or
degrade them. points of view to be expressed. It helps to know
all relevant aspects of an event.
Linking and Analysing Information
Solution to Problems
The events occurring in daily life are connected to
one another in some way. When an event takes The discussion of an event or problem gives an
place, the media links it with the previous events, opportunity for suggesting its solution.
and thus provides complete information to the Many problems of public life can be easily solved
people. This helps the people to know the event if they can be given a place in the media. This is
in its entirety. Besides linking various events, the
the reason that common people want to tell their
media also analyses an event, telling about its grievances to the press or television, because this
positive and negative impact upon the people’s is the fastest means to make somebody heard by
lives. Newspapers analyse different events in the
the highest officers and ministers.
editorial, this is the reason that editorials are very
important for a newspaper. In addition, In view of the importance of the media, this has
become very powerful. Napoleon Bonaparte, the
newspapers invite comments on various events in
the form of articles from concerned specialists. great French military general, once said, “Four
Similarly, television channels invite specialists for hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a
thousand bayonets.”
a discussion. The analysis of an event makes
people aware about the real situation.
Forming Public Opinion

When the media links and analyses an event, it
also gives its conclusion or opinion. This opinion,
if accepted by the people, becomes a public
opinion. The forming of a public opinion is very
important in a democracy, because on it rests the
action of the government. The governments and A common man A family watching television
ministers become popular and unpopular on the reading a newspaper at home
basis of public opinion.
Activity
On many occasions, the media can also take up a Make an advertisement for a newspaper on the
social cause and make a favourable public topic ‘Speed Thrills But Kills’ or ‘Drugs Are Curse’.
opinion for it; such as safe driving, drug addiction,
AIDS awareness, national integration, family Media Ethics and Accountability
planning, health and hygiene etc. The views of any two individuals cannot be similar.
Providing Forum for Discussion/Debate So it would be futile to think that a uniform view
can be formed by the large number of people
When an event is published in a newspaper or involved in the media. An individual views an
relayed on radio or television, the people react to
event taking into consideration many factors :
it. People often write ‘letters to editors’ giving
their views on certain q Available information.
events. Similarly, television q His vested interest in the event.
and radio invite people for
discussion on certain issues q His social, political, economic status etc.
concerning public life. q His benefit or loss by the event.
Many such television Thus, we can see that there can be people holding
programmes have become
diverse, or even opposite views on the same
very popular. These forums A newspaper editorial event. This results in confusion.
Contemporary Social Science-7
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