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Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “The Role of Media in Indian Democracy” for the Civil Services Examination
1. What is the primary role of media in a democracy?
- a) To entertain the public
- b) To support government policies
- c) To inform, educate, and act as a watchdog
- d) To sell advertising space
Answer: c) To inform, educate, and act as a watchdog
2. Which of the following is considered the fourth pillar of democracy in India?
- a) The Legislature
- b) The Executive
- c) The Judiciary
- d) The Media
Answer: d) The Media
3. The Right to Information Act (RTI) of 2005 primarily aims to:
- a) Increase media ownership
- b) Enhance government transparency and accountability
- c) Regulate media content
- d) Promote media advertising
Answer: b) Enhance government transparency and accountability
4. The term “sensationalism” in media refers to:
- a) Reporting news accurately
- b) Presenting news in an exaggerated manner to attract attention
- c) Providing in-depth analysis
- d) Focusing on positive news
Answer: b) Presenting news in an exaggerated manner to attract attention
5. Which of the following is NOT a function of media in a democracy?
- a) Providing information
- b) Influencing public opinion
- c) Acting as a mediator between government and citizens
- d) Controlling government policies
Answer: d) Controlling government policies
6. The Press Council of India was established in which year?
- a) 1955
- b) 1966
- c) 1975
- d) 1982
Answer: b) 1966
7. The “Broadcasting” sector in India is primarily regulated by:
- a) The Press Council of India
- b) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- c) The Central Board of Film Certification
- d) The Reserve Bank of India
Answer: b) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
8. The term “media pluralism” refers to:
- a) The diversity of media ownership
- b) The diversity of media content and viewpoints
- c) The restriction of media ownership
- d) The concentration of media ownership
Answer: b) The diversity of media content and viewpoints
9. The Freedom of Press in India is guaranteed under which Article of the Constitution?
- a) Article 19(1)(a)
- b) Article 21
- c) Article 22
- d) Article 25
Answer: a) Article 19(1)(a)
10. The term “fake news” refers to:
- a) Accurate and well-researched news
- b) News that is exaggerated but true
- c) False or misleading information presented as news
- d) Opinion pieces in newspapers
Answer: c) False or misleading information presented as news
11. Which landmark Supreme Court case affirmed that the freedom of the press is a fundamental right in India?
- a) Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
- b) Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras
- c) A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras
- d) Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain
Answer: b) Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras
12. Which of the following is a major challenge faced by media in India?
- a) Excessive government funding
- b) Lack of interest from the public
- c) Media bias and commercialization
- d) Excessive regulation
Answer: c) Media bias and commercialization
13. The “National Broadcasting Policy” was introduced to:
- a) Regulate print media
- b) Promote the growth of digital media
- c) Regulate broadcasting and ensure fair practices
- d) Restrict foreign media ownership
Answer: c) Regulate broadcasting and ensure fair practices
14. Which organization is responsible for regulating the content of television channels in India?
- a) The Press Council of India
- b) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- c) The Central Board of Film Certification
- d) The National Broadcasting Standards Authority
Answer: b) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
15. The “Media Ownership” concentration issue refers to:
- a) A high level of media diversity
- b) A low level of media concentration
- c) A small number of corporations controlling a large portion of media outlets
- d) Government ownership of all media outlets
Answer: c) A small number of corporations controlling a large portion of media outlets
16. The term “public interest journalism” refers to:
- a) Journalism that prioritizes commercial gain
- b) Journalism that serves the interests of the government
- c) Journalism that serves the public by reporting on issues that affect society
- d) Journalism that focuses on celebrity news
Answer: c) Journalism that serves the public by reporting on issues that affect society
17. The role of “social media” in Indian democracy includes:
- a) Enhancing traditional media’s reach
- b) Facilitating political mobilization and public discourse
- c) Restricting information flow
- d) Replacing traditional media completely
Answer: b) Facilitating political mobilization and public discourse
18. The “Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act” was enacted to:
- a) Regulate the content of cable television channels
- b) Promote the growth of digital media
- c) Control newspaper distribution
- d) Regulate media ownership
Answer: a) Regulate the content of cable television channels
19. The “Media Transparency” issue pertains to:
- a) Clear and honest reporting by the media
- b) The secrecy of media operations
- c) Media censorship
- d) Limited access to information
Answer: a) Clear and honest reporting by the media
20. Which of the following is a significant impact of media on elections in India?
- a) Reducing voter turnout
- b) Influencing voter behavior and campaign strategies
- c) Increasing the cost of elections
- d) Limiting political participation
Answer: b) Influencing voter behavior and campaign strategies
21. The “Press Trust of India” (PTI) is:
- a) A government news agency
- b) A private news agency
- c) A non-profit news organization
- d) A media regulatory body
Answer: b) A private news agency
22. The “Indian Media Ethics” primarily focus on:
- a) Maximizing profit
- b) Providing unbiased and accurate news
- c) Influencing government policies
- d) Restricting foreign media access
Answer: b) Providing unbiased and accurate news
23. The “Digital India” campaign has:
- a) Decreased media consumption
- b) Increased media accessibility and digital content
- c) Restricted online news platforms
- d) Reduced the role of traditional media
Answer: b) Increased media accessibility and digital content
24. The “Freedom of Information” movement in India seeks to:
- a) Control media content
- b) Increase government transparency and accountability
- c) Restrict access to information
- d) Promote private media ownership
Answer: b) Increase government transparency and accountability
25. The “Media Literacy” initiative aims to:
- a) Increase media censorship
- b) Improve public understanding of media content and its impact
- c) Promote media ownership concentration
- d) Decrease media diversity
Answer: b) Improve public understanding of media content and its impact
26. Which of the following is a common criticism of media in India?
- a) Lack of coverage of international news
- b) Overemphasis on sensationalism and commercial interests
- c) Insufficient media outlets
- d) Excessive government control
Answer: b) Overemphasis on sensationalism and commercial interests
27. The “Media Ethics Code” in India is developed by:
- a) The Supreme Court of India
- b) The Press Council of India
- c) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- d) The Central Board of Film Certification
Answer: b) The Press Council of India
28. The term “media convergence” refers to:
- a) The merging of different media formats and platforms
- b) The separation of media ownership
- c) The reduction of media outlets
- d) The increase in media censorship
Answer: a) The merging of different media formats and platforms
29. The “Right to Privacy” in relation to media concerns:
- a) The protection of individuals’ personal information from media exploitation
- b) The freedom of media to publish any content
- c) The restriction of media access to personal information
- d) The promotion of government surveillance
Answer: a) The protection of individuals’ personal information from media exploitation
30. The “National Broadcasting Standards Authority” (NBSA) was established to:
- a) Regulate print media
- b) Promote media transparency
- c) Oversee the adherence of television channels to ethical standards
- d) Increase government control over media
Answer: c) Oversee the adherence of television channels to ethical standards
