5. Mass Media and History

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 Newspapers are historical documents, Think about it.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

33 history of Indian newspapers before of Maharashtra’s history and social independence. and movements. Bal Gangandhar Tilak started these papers Currently there are many periodicals in 1881. They spoke about the social and devoted to Indian history. Marathi journals political issues of that period. Kesari such as ‘Bharatiya Itihas ani Samskruti’ began to publish articles about the and ‘Marathwada Itihas Parishad Patrika’ nationwide situations, books in the native may be cited as examples. languages and the politics in England. Electronic or Digital Journalism : In the 21st century newspapers have These are ultra-modern periodicals form continued to fulfil an important role. It a part of Electronic of Digital journalism. was acknowledged the fourth column of History is a prime subject of interest for democracy. these periodicals as well. Many web news Magazines and Journals : Magazines portals, social media, web channels, ‘You and Journals are periodical publications. Tube’, etc. make historical content This category includes publications, which available to the audience /readers. are weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, Radio : ‘Indian Broadcasting quarterly, six monthly, annual, etc. There Company’ (IBC), a private radio company may be some chronicles which are was the first one to broadcast daily published at no fixed time. programmes. Later the same company was taken over by the Do this. British Government and named as, ‘Indian State In recent times many newspapers Broadcasting Service have introduced e-newspapers. The (ISBS). On 8th June e-newspapers are being received well 1936 it was renamed, as by the readers. ‘All India Radio (AIR)’. Learn to read e-newspapers with After Independence, AIR became an the help of your teachers. integral part of the Ministry of Information Balshastri Jambhekar started the first and Broadcasting (India). Initially, it monthly magazine in Marathi. It was broadcasted Governmental programmes named, ‘Digdarshan’. Among the and schemes. It was named as ‘Akashvani’ periodicals ‘Pragati’, now a defunct on the suggestion of the famous poet journal, was started (1929) and edited by Pandit Narendra Sharma. Akashvanai Tryambak Shankar Shejwalkar. He worte regularly in this historiographical journal Do you know ? Let us search and find out : Apart from the journals cited In the British India the first above there are many more journals English news bulletin was broadcasted related to research in history, published on 23rd July 1927 from the Mumbai in Marathi, Hindi and English by radio station of the Indian various institutions and universities. Broadcasting Company (IBC). Later, Search and find out about them with the Kolkata radio station of IBC the help of internet. started a news bulletin in Bengali.

34 broadcasts various entertainment, other alternative to television for watching awareness creating and literary an event as it actually happened. programmes. It also broadcasts special 5.4 Critical understanding of the programmes for farmers, workers, the information received through Mass youth and women. The ‘Vividh Bharati’ Media programmes are broadcasted in 24 regional Any information received through languages as well as 146 dialects of mass media needs to be reviewed critically. Indian languages. Lately, various new The news or information in the media may channels like ‘Radio Mirchi’ are providing not always represent exact truth. We need radio services. to scan it very carefully. There is a very Television : The ‘Delhi Doordarshan famous event of unauthentic information Centre’ was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra appearing in print in Germany. ‘Stern’, a Prasad, the first Indian President. German weekly magazine had purchased Doordarshan’s Mumbai centre began to a number of so called handwritten diaries telecast its programmes on 1st May 1972. of Adolf Hitler. It sold them to various Colour television was introduced on 15th publication companies. The diaries were August 1982. In 1991 the Indian verified for their authenticity and government granted permission to private subsequently the news appeared in the national and international channels to print. However, later those diaries were telecast in India. Thus, it became possible proved to be forged. It becomes apparent for Indians to watch international events from this example that we need to be very on television. careful about the information published by 5.3 Why do we need Mass Media ? the media. 5.5 Mass Media and Professional We need mass media to facilitate free Opportunities flow of information to all strata of the society. Editorials, various columns and Newspapers have to fulfil the task of supplements are essential parts of providing fresh news to its readers. It is newspapers. Readers are also ensured of also necessary to unfold the background a platform to voice their opinions. of an event in the news. At such times, Newspapers can help in making the newspapers have to resort to history. democracy stronger. While reporting news in detail, reporters try to compare it with parallel events, Television is an audio-visual medium. which happened in the past. The past It was possible for this medium to cross event may be printed in a separate frame. the inherent limitations of newspapers and the radio and show the actual visuals of Editorials an event to people. So far, there is no

Columns Articles Do this. History ‘On This Collect information and write a News Day in report about the television channels in History’ India. Do this as a group activity. Reviews

35 Thus the reader gets access to additional History is also essential in planning information and he can get better insights radio programmes. For example, about the current news. Akashvani has preserved recordings of all Newspapers print columns about the speeches delivered each year by the historical information, appearing under prime ministers of India on 15th August. headings such as, ‘50 Years Ago’ or ‘100 Akashvani invites historians as experts Years Ago’, etc. Such columns are based for discussions on various occasions such on historical documents or written history. as the anniversaries of birth or death of These columns provide historical national leaders, anniversaries of historical information about economic, social, events, etc. Lectures on the contribution political events in the past and also events of various national leaders need to be of historical significance. supported by historical information. Programmes like ‘On This Day in History’ are also an integral part of the daily Do this. programmes of Akashvani. Newspapers also publish Television channels also telecast crossword puzzles based on history. programmes based on history. Doordarshan Try to create similar crossword and other television channels help in puzzles. For example use fort names creating interest in history among people to create a puzzle. through their historical shows and serials. The mythological and historical serials like Newspapers occasionally publish ‘’, ‘’, ‘Bharat ek supplements to the regular edition or Khoj’ and ‘Raja Shivchhatrapati’ attracted special issues. For example, World War I a very large audience. While producing commenced in 1914. Year 2014 marked this type of programmes, maintaining the 100th year of this event. In order to accuracy with regard to the presentation of be able to publish a newspaper supplement environment, outfits, weaponry, life styles, or a special issue to commemorate the lingual expression, etc. is essential. One occasion, one needs to review its history. needs to have a deep understanding of In 2017, seventy five years were completed history of the concerned period. after the announcement of ‘Quit India’ Currently channels like ‘Discovery’, movement. On such occasions newspapers ‘National Geographic’, ‘History’, etc. highlight the event through various articles, have opened a rich treasure of global editorials, columns like ‘what happened history for the audience. It has enabled in history on this day’, reviews, etc. The people to view the historical and knowledge of history is essential for geographic wonders at home. To make writings of such type. such programmes more entertaining some parts of the serial are actually enacted by Try to do this. actors such as the characters of heroic men and women, sportsmen, army chiefs, Try to collect information about etc. Beside these serials about ancient the role of underground radio centres monuments, forts, histories of empires and in the ‘Quit India’ movement of 1942 with the help of your teachers. also the history of culinary arts are watched by a large number of people

36 with great interest. in the respective field are sought out in People with deep knowledge of history all the fields mentioned above.

You would find this interesting : ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’, a serial telecasted contributions of Mughal emperors, by Doordarshan has a special place in Bhakti Movement, Role of Chhatrapati the history of Indian television serials. Maharaj, movements of social It was based on ‘Discovery of India’, reform and Indian struggle for a book written by Pandit Jawaharlal independence, etc. Nehru. It was directed by Shyam , the actor who played Benegal. This serial presented the Pandit Nehru’s role in this serial also from the ancient to the appeared as a narrator, introducing modern period, throwing light on and explaining various parts of the social, cultural and political history of story by dramatising them, using respective periods. folklore and informative speeches. The It effectively portrayed many serial was admired in all parts of India aspects of Indian history like Harappan because of the comprehensive historical Civilisation, Vedic history, interpretation perspective of Pandit Nehru and its of Ramayana and Mahabharata, equally comprehensive visual Mauryan period, Turk-Afghan presentation. invasions, Mughal period and the

Exercise

1. (A) Complete the sentences by choosing 2. Write brief notes : the correct option. (1) The role of newspaper in the Indian (1) The first English newspaper in India struggle for independence was started by ……… (2) Why do we need mass media? (a) James Augustus Hickey (3) Mass Media and professional (b) John Marshall opportunities. (c) Allen Hume 3. Explain the following sentences with its (2) Television is an …………….medium. reason. (a) visual (b) audio (c) audio-visual (1) Any information received through (B) Identify the wrong pair in the mass media needs to be reviewed following, correct it and rewrite. critically. (1) ‘Prabhakar’ - Acharya P.K. Atre (2) Knowledge of history is essential for (2) ‘Darpan’ - Balshastri Jambhekar newspaper articles. (3) ‘Deenbandhu’ - Krishnarao Bhalekar (3) Television is the most popular (4) ‘Kesari’ - medium.

37 4. Answer the following questions in 25-30 youth and women. The ‘Vividh Bharati’ words. programmes are broadcasted in 24 regional (1) Explain the objectives of newspapers. languages as well as 146 dialects of Indian (2) How is history helpful in the planning languages. Lately, various new channels like of Akashavani programmes. ‘Radio Mirchi’ are providing radio services. (1) Akashavani (AIR) is an integral part 5. Read the following extract and answer of which ministry ? the questions. (2) What was the new name of IBC ? Radio : ‘Indian Broadcasting Company’ (3) In how many regional languages and (IBC), a private radio company was the first local dialects are ‘Vividh Bharati’ one to broadcast daily programmes. Later the programmes broadcasted ? same company was taken over by the British (4) How AIR was named ‘Akashavani’ ? Government and named as, ‘Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS). On 8th June 6. Complete the following concept chart. 1936 it was renamed, as ‘All India Radio Newspapers Radio Television (AIR)’. After Independence, AIR became an Beginning/ Background integral part of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India). Initially, it Nature of broadcasted Governmental programmes and informantion/ programmes schemes. It was named as ‘Akashvani’ on Functions the suggestion of the famous poet Pandit Narendra Sharma. Akashvani broadcasts Project various entertainment, awareness creating Write a review of a historical serial that and literary programmes. It also broadcasts you have watched. special programmes for farmers, workers, the

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