Solutions for NCERT Class 7 Civics Social and Political life ll Chapter 6 ‘Understanding Media’

Hello students! Looking for lucid and well-written answers to guide you? Here we’ve provided simply written and accurate answers for the chapter on ‘Understanding media’. We recommend you go through them in detail – they should clear all your doubts and help you understand the lesson.

In addition to the end-text questions and the In-text questions, our team of subject experts has prepared a series of extra questions presented in a playful manner which you will enable you to ace any exam!

Find Answers to NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Civics Chapter 6 Understanding Media, here.

1. In what way does the media play an important role in a democracy?

Answer:

The media plays a vital role in democracy by providing accurate and timely information about current events and developments. It helps citizens stay informed, enabling them to take well-informed decisions.
The media serves as a watchdog and holds those in authority accountable for their actions.
 It shapes public opinion by highlighting certain issues, and promoting discussions.
 It empowers citizens by providing them knowledge about their rights.
Overall, a free, independent and responsible media is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.

2. Can you give this diagram a title? What do you understand about the link between media and big business from this diagram?

Answer:

An appropriate title for the diagram is “Big business and Media Work Together for Profit”

Big business Houses advertise their products through the media to lure the masses through attractive advertisements. The cost of marketing is factored in and raises the cost of goods, so the investment of the Big Businesses is ploughed back into their coffers when the public buys their goods. The media houses in turn earn handsome revenue through advertisements.

3. You 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.

Answer:

Effects of the agenda set by the press in a democracy are many:

1. The media influences the thought, feelings, actions of the public and moulds public opinion.

2. It draws the attention of the public to important issues and sometimes helps people to get justice.

3. It plays an important role in deciding which stories are newsworthy.

4. It may adversely influence the public not to question the actions of the government in which case the government gets a free hand to implement measures which are detrimental to society.

Two examples in support:

The Coalgate scandal which exposed the Government’s allocation of the nation’s coal deposits in an arbitrary fashion without the process of competitive bidding received massive media coverage.

The issue of dowry deaths received wide coverage as a result of which dowry laws were changed to punish families seeking dowry.

4. 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?

Answer: 

We encourage you to do it yourself, however we are providing a sample to guide you. There are two newspaper reports followed by a brief analysis.

Report in Newspaper 1

Tragedy Strikes Crowded Market as Teenage Unlicensed Driver Causes Fatal Accident, Claiming Four Lives

Mumbai, May 20,2023 – A devastating road accident shook Mumbai’s bustling Linking Road market today when an unlicensed teenage driver lost control of a speeding vehicle, mowing down four people and leaving several others injured. The incident occurred at approximately 5pm during the busy market hours, causing chaos and shock among shoppers and vendors.

Eyewitnesses narrated the horrifying accident, as the vehicle careened uncontrollably through the crowded marketplace, hitting pedestrians and stalls in its path. Bystanders rushed to help the injured, while the police were quick to respond, attempting to bring order and calm the agitated crowd.

Police sources have confirmed that the driver, a 17-year-old, was underage raising concerns about the growing issue of unlicensed driving among young individuals. Prima facie evidence suggests that excessive speed was the cause of the accident.

The tragic incident has left families of the deceased shattered and the market plunged in gloom. Local residents and shopkeepers expressed their grief and anger, demanding stricter measures to curb reckless driving.

In response to the tragedy, the Officer -in-Charge of Bandra Police Station has assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the accident and bring those responsible to book. Meanwhile, the driver has been taken into custody,

Authorities have also emphasized the importance of adhering to traffic laws, particularly for young and inexperienced drivers. They urge parents and guardians to educate and monitor their teenage children regarding responsible driving practices and forbid driving without a valid license.

The local MLA has expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pledged to work closely with law enforcement agencies to improve road safety measures in the city.

The tragic accident serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of reckless  behaviour and the urgent need for stringent road safety measures. As investigations continue, Mumbai is plunged in grief, and citizens unite in a collective call for safer roads and responsible driving to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents in the future.

Report in newspaper 2

A Tragic Accident: Seeking Understanding for the Teenage Driver Involved

Mumbai, May 20, 2023 – The devastating road accident that occurred in the bustling Linking Road market yesterday has left the entire community grief-stricken. Amidst the heartache and sorrow, questions arise about the circumstances surrounding the young, unlicensed teenage driver involved in the accident, as compassion and understanding intertwine with the pain.

The identity of the 17-year-old driver, whose remains undisclosed due to legal reasons, lost control of the vehicle during the unfortunate incident, resulting in the loss of four lives and leaving several others injured. As the city deals with the aftermath of the tragedy, it is important to remember that the young driver, too, is in shock having to face the brutal consequences of his actions.

Eyewitness accounts have shed light on the series of events leading up to the accident. Reports suggest that the teenager, eager to experience the thrill and sense of empowerment that driving brings, took the family car without permission. Unaware of the responsibilities that come with handling a vehicle, his dream ride turned into a horrifying nightmare.

It must not be forgotten that adolescence is a time for learning and growth, marked by moments of indiscretion and rebellion. Teenagers often find themselves testing the world around them, sometimes without fully understanding the potential danger of their actions.

Family and friends of the teenager are devastated by the accident and have reached out to the bereaved families offering their condolences and deepest sympathies. They emphasize that the young driver is also devastated by the loss of lives and is inconsolable in his remorse and seeks forgiveness. They seek understanding and support for the teenager during this difficult time, acknowledging that the accident was a tragic mistake.

 While the tragic accident highlights the importance of responsible driving and following traffic laws, it also serves as a reminder of the need to provide guidance and counselling to young individuals about safe driving practices. Encouraging open communication and a non-judgmental environment can encourage teenagers to make responsible choices when faced with difficult decisions.

It must be remembered that no one is above making mistakes, especially during the formative years of adolescence. As the community mourns the lives lost, it is equally important to empathise with the young driver, recognizing that this tragedy has forever altered the course of his life.

Comparison of both articles:

Both the reports are similar in as much as they report on the same tragic accident of an underage unlicensed driver mowing into a crowded market place after losing control of his car and killing four people and injuring many more.

But their treatment of the subject varies radically.

The article in Newspaper 1 deals with the pain and shock that families of the dead were grappling with, the witness accounts, and the steps taken by the police to prevent public anger from spilling over leading to more chaos and mayhem.

It is written from the point of view of the victims’ families, the witnesses and also the authorities. The point of view of the perpetrator of the accident, the underage driver, has been left out because he does not deserve sympathy for rashly breaking rules and accidentally killing four people.

Whereas, the report in Newspaper 2 provides brief details about the accident and is intent on drawing sympathy towards the young teenager whose rashness caused four deaths. It is clearly written from the point of view of the teenager seeking forgiveness and empathy so that a single mistake does not ruin his life.

Solutions for in-Text Questions of NCERT Class 7 Civics Social and Political life ll Chapter 6 ‘Understanding Media’

Text Page no 65

Look at the collage on the left and list six various kinds of media that you see.

Answer:
The six kinds of media visible are as follows:

1. Television
2. Radio
3. Internet
4. Mobile
5. Newspaper
6. Magazines

2. Ask older members of your family about what they used to listen to on the radio when there was no TV around. Find out from them when the first TV came to your area. When was cable TV introduced?
Answer:

The older members of my family listened to the radio news for information. They tuned in regularly to All India Radio for national news and to the BBC for international news. They also depended on the radio for entertainment so they listened to songs and plays.
Television first came to our locality in the late seventies.
Cable TV was introduced in 1993 in my area.

3. How many people in your neighbourhood use the Internet? List three things that you know about some other part of the world from watching television?

Almost 50 per cent of the people in my neighbourhood use the internet, most of them access the internet on their mobile phones.
Three things that I learnt about some other part of the world by watching television are:
1. The coronation ceremony of King Charles
2.The devastating images of Ukraine War
3. The Wimbledon Men’s Final match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz

Text Page no 66

1. Can you list three different products that are advertised during your favourite TV programme?
Answer:
1. Shyam Steel
2. Sensodyne Toothpaste
3. Lux Soap

2. Take a newspaper and count the number of advertisements in it. Some people say that newspapers have too many advertisements. Do you think this is true and why?
Answer:

I counted 125 advertisements in “The Times of India”.

Yes, I think there are too many advertisements in newspapers, but private publishing houses
have to meet their expenses and make a profit. The price of the daily newspaper is too low compared to the running cost, so the publishers seek advertisements for their newspaper to generate the additional revenue needed to run the business profitably.

Text Page no 68

1. Are the above stories in the two newspapers similar? And if not, why not? What, in your view, are the similarities and the differences?

Answer:

The above stories are similar in as much as they report the same event, namely the protest led by factory owners and workers against the government’s decision to close down polluting factory units.

They differ because ‘The News of India’ report highlights the traffic disruption caused by the protesters, the levels of pollution caused by these units, and the refusal of the units to accept relocation offered by the government.

 On the other hand, the ‘India Daily Report’ article focusses on the humanitarian aspects of closing down factories which would result in loss of livelihood for the workers, and the unsuitability of areas chosen by the government for relocation of these units to places which are under developed and devoid of any facilities.

2. If you read the story in the News of India, what would you think about the issue?

Answer:

If I had read the report in ‘News of India’ only, I would have formed a biased opinion on the issue. I would have been unsympathetic towards the factory workers for disrupting traffic and advocated for the immediate shutdown of the polluting factories. I would be insensitive to the reason for their refusal to accept the relocation offer.

Text Page 69

1. Do you think it is important to know both sides of the story? Why?

Answer:

Yes, it is essential to know both sides of the story.

 Understanding both sides of an issue allows us to think critically and make well-informed decisions. It helps us analyse the evidence, evaluate arguments, and form balanced opinions. Knowing only one side of a story can lead to bias and misinformation.

2. Pretend that you are a journalist for a newspaper and write a balanced story from the two news reports

Answer:

Title: City Grapples with Factory Closure: Balancing Environmental and Livelihood Concerns

The recent decision to close down one lakh factories in the city’s residential areas has ignited a debate, as differing perspectives emerge on the impact of the decision.

Protests led by factory owners and workers paralyzed the city, causing significant disruption to daily life. The demonstrators asserted that their livelihood was at stake due to the closure, emphasizing the lack of adequate relocation efforts by the municipal corporation. They argued that the issuance of fresh licences allowing new factories in residential areas has led to the present situation.

On the other side, supporters of the government’s move contended that the closure was necessary to address pollution and environmental hazards associated with the illegal factories. They highlighted that the city’s progress towards becoming a clean and green business hub required such actions. Furthermore, they pointed out that the illegal status of many factories was well-known, underscoring the need for compliance with regulations.

The issue, however, requires a nuanced approach that acknowledges both environmental and livelihood concerns. While reducing pollution is critical for sustainable urban development, it is equally important to ensure adequate support for affected communities in the process. Finding a middle ground that addresses both issues will be crucial in moving forward.

Extra Questions NCERT Class 7 Civics Social and Political life ll Chapter 6 ‘Understanding Media’

A. Multiple Choice type Questions (MCQ)

1. Local media started by local groups cover small issues like _________

(i) Communication with farmers regarding  prices of several crops, advising them on use of
seeds and fertilisers.
(ii) Making documentaries on real-life issues faced by different poor communities.
(iii) Newspaper run by Dalit women reporting on Dalit issues and cases of violence against
women and political corruption.
(iv) All of the above

2. What is mass media?

(i) It is promoted by the masses
(ii) it is popular with the masses
(iii) it reaches millions of people across the country
(iv) All of the above

3. Which of these cannot be classified under media?

(i) Radio
(ii) newspaper
(iii) magazine
(iv) Novel

4. Which of these cannot be classified as electronic media?

(i) internet
(ii) cable TV
(iii) radio
(iv) newspaper

5. When the government prevents a news item or scenes from a movie from being shared with the public, it is called_______.

(i) gossip
(ii) dictatorship
(iii) censorship
(iv) None of the above

Answers:

1. (iv) All of the above

2. (iii) it reaches millions of people across the country

3. (iv) Novel

4. (iv) newspaper

5. (iii) censorship

B. Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box to complete the following sentences:

media	report	democracy	prevents	news
information	balanced	censorship	government	Independent.

1. In a ___________, the media plays a very important role in providing __________ and discussing events that take place in the country and the world.

2. It is on the basis of this __________that citizens can, for example, learn how the ________works.

3. Given the role that the __________plays in providing information, it is important that the information be ___________.

4. Writing a balanced ______, however, depends on the media being ____________

5. When the government _____either a news item, or scenes from a movie, or lyrics of a song being shared with the larger public, this is referred to as _________.

Answer:

1. In a democracy the media plays a very important role in providing news and discussing events that take place in the country and the world.

2. It is on the basis of this information that citizens can, for example, learn how the government works.

3. Given the role that the media plays in providing information, it is important that the information be balanced .

4. Writing a balanced report, however, depends on the media being independent.

5. When the government prevents either a news item, or scenes from a movie, or lyrics of a song being shared with the larger public, this is referred to as censorship.

C. Match the words in column A with those in column B

A	B
Reality shows	printing press
Gutenberg	Fortnightly newspaper run by 8 Dalit women
Khabar Lahriya	Radio programme that is widely transmitted
Electronic typewriter	television
broadcast	In the 1940s

Answer:

A	B
Reality shows	television
Gutenberg	printing press
Khabar Lahriya	Fortnightly newspaper run by 8 Dalit women
Electronic typewriter	In the 1940s
broadcast	Radio programme that is widely transmitted

D. State whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE:

1. Radio and magazine are examples of print media.

2. A balanced report discusses all points of view of a given incident.

3. The Income Tax Department’s advertisement asking citizens to pay their taxes on time is an example of social advertisement.

4. Media in India is independent.

5. Television has brought the world closer.

Answer:

1. False – Radio is not an example of print media. It is an electronic media. Newspapers and magazines are examples of Print media.

2. True

3. True

4. False – Media is no longer considered independent because aside from government censorship, it also has close links to business and cannot report against people who pay them hefty sums for advertisements which are essential for the survival of media houses.

5. True

E.  Very Short Answer Type Questions:

1. Which are recent phenomena in the media?
Answer:
Cable TV and internet are recent phenomena in the media.

2. What precipitated a change in journalism in the 1940s?
Answer:
After the advent of electronic typewriters, journalism underwent a sea-change in the 1940s.

3. Who was J.L. Baird?
Answer:
J.L. Baird was the inventor of the ‘televisor’ – an early television.

4. How does mass media make money?
Answer:
Mass media earns money through advertisements.

5. Why does media set the agenda by reporting on a fashion show instead of the demolition of a slum?
Answer:
The media chose to cover the fashion show because of the money they would earn from the fashion houses.

6. Which media offers a large variety of information to cater to the taste of different readers?
Answer:
The print media offers a large variety of information which caters to the taste of different readers.

7. What is one of the positive things about television?
Answer:
Television has brought the world closer as we can view what is happening in the remotest corners of the world sitting in our drawing rooms.

8. On what basis is the cost of television advertisements fixed?
Answer:
The cost of television advertisements is fixed on the basis of the popularity of the channel.

9.  When did the Government of India censor the media?
Answer:
The Government of India censored the media during the Emergency in 1975 -1977.

10. What is the effect of changing technology on media services?
Answer:
Changing technology has helped the media to reach more people.

F. Short Answer Type Questions

1. Write a short note on ‘Khabar Lahriya’.

Answer:

Khabar Lahriya is a local  fortnightly newspaper run by eight Dalit women in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh which covers small issues involving ordinary people and their daily lives. It is written in Bundeli which is the local language and it reports on Dalit issues, cases of violence against women and and political corruption.The eight-page newspaper reaches farmers, shopkeepers, panchayat members, school teachers and women who have recently lrearnt to read and write.

2. Most television channels and newspapers are part of big business houses. Why is this so?  

Answer:

The technology that mass media uses keeps changing, so a lot of money has to be invested on upgrading to the latest technology. The TV studio in which the newsreader sits is equipped with lights, cameras, sound recorders, transmission satellites etc. which are expensive. Moreover, the salaries of newsreaders and technical staff who help with the broadcast also add up to a tidy sum. Due to these costs, the mass media needs a great deal of money to function. This is the reason why most television channels and newspapers are part of big business houses which have a lot of funds.

3. Do you agree with the statement  that television has brought the world closer?

Answer:

I agree that television has brought the world closer. Television images travel huge distances through satellites and cables. This allows us to view news and entertainment channels from other parts of the world while sitting in our living rooms. We see cartoons on our television set which are mostly from Japan and the United States. Even though we are stationed in India we are able to watch the spectacle of the coronation of King Charles or witness the devastation caused by forests fires in Australia. Therefore, television  has allowed us to think of ourselves as members of a larger global world.

4. What kind of control does the government have on the media? What is it called?

Answer:

The government exercises control over the media. It can prevent either a news item, or scenes from a movie, or the lyrics of a song from being shared with the larger public. This kind of control is called censorship. There have been periods in Indian history when the government censored the media. The worst of these was the Emergency between 1975-1977.

5. What is social advertising?

Answer:

Social advertisements refer to those advertisements made by the Government or private agencies that convey a larger message for society. A good example is the Advertisement from the Income Tax Dept urging all all tax payers to pay their taxes on time. Another example is the one  recommending alertness while crossing manned or unmanned level crossings.

G. Long answer Type Questions

1. What are the reasons for most newspapers failing to provide balanced stories?

Answer:

The reasons for the lack of objective reporting by newspapers are complex:

1. The government exercises some censorship when it does not want a situation to go out of control and lead to riots and other backlashes if all controversial details are printed in the newspapers.

2. Media is no longer considered independent because most of the newspapers are owned or controlled by big business houses and sometimes it suits their interest to highlight only a certain aspect of the story. The media dare not defy their wishes as they are dependent on the big businesses for advertisements.

3. The media also tends to focus on a particular angle of a story to make it more sensational and interesting to increase their ratings.

4.  Also if they want to increase public support for an issue, they focus on only one side of the story.

2. What is the need for local media in a country which has such a vibrant mass media?

Answer:

The mass media in India is controlled by big business houses and they decide what is newsworthy.

For example, all newspapers chose to cover the Fashion week, in which clothes designers exhibit their new creations to rich people, on the front pages while they did not even mention the demolition of several slums in Mumbai which took place the very same week.

Recognising that the media will not be interested in covering the ‘small’ issues that involve ordinary people and their daily strife, several local groups took the initiative to start their own media.

Several people use community radio to tell farmers about the prices of different crops and advise them on the use of seeds and fertilisers.

Others make documentary films using fairly cheap video cameras on real-life conditiions faced by different poor communities.

Another example is a newspaper called “Khabar Lahriya run by eight Dalit women in Uttar Pradesh which gives voice to the trials and tribulations of the Dalit.

Hence, we see that the need to be heard has given rise to local media which commands respect within the local area.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) on NCERT – Class 7 Civics- Social and Political Life-ll Chapter 6 – ‘Understanding Media’