BS PROGRAM Mass Media in Pakistan Topics to Be Covered
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BS PROGRAM Mass Media in Pakistan Topics to be Covered 1. What is Mass Media? Its comparison with Mass Communication and Journalism. 2. The functions of Mass Media. 3. How Journalism started and evolved world wide and the start of journalism in the sub continent. 4. The growth of Muslim press in the sub continent. 5. Role of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Moulana Hasrat Mohani, Moulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, and Zafar Ali Khan in the development of Muslim Journalism in sub continent. 6. The role of press in Pakistan Movement. 7. The history and development of print journalism in Pakistan since independence. 8. Major prospects and problems of print journalism in Pakistan. 9. Government-Press relations 10. Press Laws. 11. Growth & expansion of Radio, and Television in Pakistan. 12. Growth of Cable television and its cultural and ethical dimensions. 13. Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), 14. Online Journalism: Development and Future Prospects 15. The structure, development and future perspective of News agencies in Pakistan. Handout_1/BS/3 MASS MEDIA IN PAKISTAN Topic One_The Mass Media and its Comparison with Mass Communication and Journalism 1. Journalism defined. The term journalism embraces all the forms in which the news reach the public. All the happenings in the world which hold interest for the public, and all the thought, action and ideas which these happening stimulate become the basic material for the journalist. To the cynic journalism is merely a trade; and to the idealist it shines as a responsibility and a privilege. Journalism is the conveying of information from here to there with accuracy, insight and dispatch, and in such a manner that the truth is served, and rightness of things is made slowly, even if not immediately, more evident.( Eric Hodgins) 2. Defining Mass Communication. It refers to the process by which complex organization with the aid of one or more machines produces and transmits public messages that arte directed at large, heterogeneous, and scattered audiences. 3. Defining Mass Media. Medium is the channel through which a message travels from the source to the receiver (media is its plural), Mass media use different channels to carry the message including the light and sound waves. The definition of mass medium include not only the mechanical devices that transmit and sometimes store the message( TV cameras, radio microphones, printing presses), but also the institutions that use these machines to transmit messages. When we talk about the mass media of television, radio, newspaper, magazines, sound recording., and film, we will be referring to the people, the policies, the organizations, and the technology that go into producing and distributing mass communication. 4. The Evolution of Mass Media. The history of communication is very old. There is sufficient evidence to prove that element of large scale (mass) dissemination of ideas was present at a very early point in time for the propagation of political and religious awareness. More than any one else the church was in the forefront to promote communication for transmission of religious thoughts to every one without any exception. However the communication got a boost when Gutenberg invented printing press in year 1450. Some researchers are of the view that Chinese and Koreans were first to use printing techniques much before the invention of printing press in Europe in 1450. The development of Mass Media in about last six hundred years is not merely due to technological expertise. The communicative needs of the people in an evolving society, the creativity of human intellect, and the type of governance played important role in the advancement of mass media. Dennis McQuail (2005) is of the view that more open the society, the more inclination there has been to develop communication technology to its fullest potential. More closed or repressive regimes either limit development or set strict boundaries to ways in which technology can be used. McQuail describes that the institutional framework of mass media all over the world has been drawn from the Western perspective ( European or North American) despite the cultural differences. A big question which remains unanswered is that why other nations could not evolve their own value system till today. 5. The Components of Mass Media. The following main components of mass media have been identified on the basis of technology, material form, typical formats, perceived uses and institutional setting. The Book and the Library. The history of modern mass media begins with the printed book. Before the advent of printing press, the books were hand written and were available to a selected few. The invention of printing press made it possible to publish books on mass scale with changed content making it more secular, practical and popular. It played a very significant role in the transformation of the medieval world. In this period of time the book was not regarded primarily as a medium of communication, rather it was considered a store of wisdom and specially used for publishing the religious texts. The later development of libraries on an organized basis compelled intelligentsia in mid nineteenth century to consider libraries as a medium of mass communication and mass enlightenment. The successful application of print technology to reproduction of texts in place of handwriting, about the mid fifteenth century, was only the first step in the emergence of a” media institution”. With the printing the trades people became publishers and authors and were later considered as key personnel in the context of print media. The Newspaper. Prior to the invention of printing press, the handwritten pamphlets. Handbills and newsletter were generally used as medium of communication. This practice continued even after the invention of printing press for about two hundred years. The commercial issues, religious issues and government proclamations were generally the main content of these newsletters and pamphlets, It was only in 1621 when the first English newspaper “CORANTO” was published from England. “THE OXFORD GAZETTE” made its appearance in year 1665. From its early days the newspaper was considered to be an adversary of established power, notwithstanding that early newspapers did not generally seek to offend authorities. It was after sometime when newspapers started identifying themselves with the interests of their readers. From here started a struggle for more press freedom and a watchdog role. Following main variants have been identified in developed world of the newspapers (press). The party –political press. A common early form of newspaper where the party interests are safeguarded. The newspaper becomes the mouthpiece of the party and is dedicated to the task of activation, information and organization for the party. This kind of press is hallmark of democratic politics. The prestige press. This kind of press emerged in late nineteenth century and is considered to be high point in press history and has contributed much to our modern understanding of a modern newspaper. M cQuail terms it as “bourgeois newspaper”. This press is the product of events taking place in period after 1850, which included more liberalism, absence of censorship, converting the newspaper into a business establishment and some other technological and social changes. The prestige press was independent from the state and from vested interests and was often recognized as a major institution of political and social life. it tended to show a highly developed sense of social and ethical responsibility. The popular press. The popular press in developed world came into being in 20th century. The main characteristics of this press are: It is created for urban population and is designed to be read by almost every one. It is fundamentally a commercial enterprise. It generates a large amount of revenue through advertising. It is specialized in human interest stories. It has often played a political role at key moments in national societies. In some case the press tends to become more sensational, trivial and irresponsible. Radio. Radio emerged as a medium of mass communication in US in 1920. Due to some inherent qualities- like the vast range, radio portability, easy access- the radio became a very popular medium very rapidly in US. Now it is being used both in developing and developed world as an effective means of communication, information, education, entertainment and for social welfare purposes. Radio has shortened the distances. Now any important news event taking place in any corner of the world can become known in no time whereas prior to the invention of radio it could take months, Radio is also being used for mass education both in developed and developing countries. A vast majority of the people use radio for entertainment particularly for listening the music. The government has been using radio for uplift in the society. New innovations are being introduced in this important mass media. In 1980 FM radio was introduced which has added to its popularity manifold. In US at present half a billion radio sets are in use and about 12000 radio stations are engaged in broadcasting all over United States. Radio relies excessively on advertising for its sustenance. Television. Television became commercial in United States about 50 years back. Due to its profound inherent characteristics- audio video combination, live coverage of important events, sense of intimacy and personal involvement- the television has emerged as the most massive media in terms of reach, time spent and popularity. It adds to its global audience with every passing day. As a medium of mass communication, TV is primarily used for entertainment all over the world. That does not undermine its vital role in modern politics. It is considered to be the main source of news and information for most people and the main channel communication between politicians and citizens, especially at election times.