ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION

Assignment Code

BEGA-001/TMA/2020-21 Course Code

BEGA-001

Assignment Name

Introduction to the Media (Application Oriented Course)

Year

2020-2021 Verification Status

Verified by Professor Valid Until

December 31, 2021

Q1) Describe the characteristics of the print medium, radio, television and film as mediums of mass communication.

Ans)  Characteristics of Print Media

One of the chief characteristics of print media is that they offer extensive news coverage and in depth treatment of themes. They provide a larger variety of coverage, through different kinds of writings, than any other media in India. There are plenty of backgrounders, field based interviews, spot inquiries and feedback interviews, and incisive comments. Besides special articles, syndicated reports, and features, there are special sections for sports and business. Then there are review columns for books, films, media, and art. For those seeking light reading material, there is a great variety of humour, fun, comics, and satire. The main weakness of the print media is that they can be read only by the literates and their number is still small in our country. Secondly, 93 percent of the newspapers are concentrated in urban areas. Thirdly, the increasing rise in the price of newspapers and magazines is preventing a large number of our people from purchasing them.

Characteristics of Radio

A medium of the Sound: It is an exclusive medium of the sound. It is an aural or auditory medium, a medium of the ear. There are three elements of a radio broadcast. They are the spoken word, music and sound effects. They are all sounds carried on the air waves to the listener. To be acceptable, all these sounds must be pleasant and expressive for the ears of the listener. They must be artistically integrated or mixed to provoke the imagination of the listener.

A medium of the Voice: Radio is a medium of the voice. The performer can use only his voice in a broadcast. The producer mixes his voice with music and sound effects. But it does not mean that a broadcaster, say, an actor, has only to learn a few tricks of the voice. An actor, using only vocal tricks, would soon start sounding fake or untruthful to the listener.

Additional Characteristics:

A Mass Medium

Simple Language

A Mobile Medium

An intimate Medium

Characteristics of Television:

TV and radio are uniquely different from each other all along the line. Their broadcast right from conception down to reception is different. A "radio- broadcast" is unique radiophonic or radiogenic. And, a TV broadcast is uniquely telegenic.

An Audio-Visual Medium: TV is an audio-visual but predominantly visual, proportionately much more visual than audio. A TV broadcast is conceived and produced and received 1· in audio-visual terms.

Wide Reach and High Credibility: TV is a supreme medium of mass communication. With the support of the satellite technology today, it can reach all the corners of the globe. As McLuhan, the proper of media communication, said, TV has turned the world into a global village in respective communication of information and ideas and thought exchange.

Additional Characteristics:

A Living Room Medium

Democratizing Medium

Advertisers Influence

A medium of close-up

Glamour Medium

Characteristics Of Film

Film or cinema is a highly mechanical medium. It uses so many mechanical devices like cameras, microphones, dubbing machine, editing or cutting machine, several lenses for cameras, projectors, mixers, sound tracks, trolleys to mount the cameras, celluloid, laboratory equipment, etc. Film is a product of interaction between machines and artistic and technical people. Artistic people are such as the director, costumers and make-up men.

A Mass Medium: Film is a medium of mass communication. Millions of cine-goers watch the movie in a country. The same movie may be seen by a very large number of people in several countries (like Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi"). Although in a cinema hall only a few hundred or, at the most a few thousand people can watch a film at one time, it can be shown in many cities, towns and villages at the same time.

Mechanically Reproducible: Film is a mechanically reproducible medium. So it can be preserved. It can be seen again and again. It can be useful for research on a relevant subject. It is very useful as a mirror of society at the time when the film was made. It describes the political social, economic and cultural scene of a country. It describes the customs, fashions and attitudes of people at a particular time.

A Collaborative Medium: Film is a collaborative medium. So many people collaborate to make the film and to reach out the film to people. Producer, director, writer, actor, art director, music director, dance director, fight director, light-man, costume-man, make-up man, scene designer, sound man, cameraman, clapper boy etc work together to make a film. After a film has been made, the financer, the distributor, the exhibitor, and others work together, to make it available to the common people. No other medium depends so much on so many people.

Additional Characteristics:

Art medium

A Medium for development

A medium that demands peoples concentration

A realistic but expensive medium

Q2) Editing for electronic media is a technical task whereas for print, it has a language orientation. Discuss with examples.

Ans)

Editing for Print:

s a budding journalist and a future subeditor you should be aware that there are standards set by responsible news organizations for the guidance of their staff and by news agencies for their members and clients. These are available as booklets and are given to an employee when he or she joins.

Editors write stylebooks, copyeditors use them and reporters hate them. Probably they curb the independence of writing and reporting. Style books work as authority to usage but it cannot be a substitute for the hard work, acquired skills and natural artistry of the writer. Let us take a look at the style book of The Telegraph, London.

There are the Bibles for any sub-editor. Remember to keep a dictionary and a thesaurus handy any time. Good editors always keep a pocket size dictionary and Roget's Thesaurus in their bags.

Dictionary explains the meanings and thesaurus gives synonyms to all possible listed words. There will help you greatly in sub-editing and re-writing. A thesaurus words will give you numerous alternatives both easy and difficult to choose from. It will help you to write better, concise and precise.

Many a times we describe planes which are" totally destroyed" or a meeting where we "assemble together" . Remember when we refer to something as having got destroyed it means complete destruction. So the word totally is not required. Similarly when you assemble it means coming together and the word assemble need not be written. Such needless repetitions are called redundancies.

In print media, one has to worry about language orientation with things like Antecedent, Direct object, Hyperbole, Indirect Object, Intranslative verb, jargon, metaphor, mixed metaphor, phrase, similie, tautology, translative verb, punctuation, etc. From this we can clearly understand that print medium is more language oriented.

Editing for electronic media:

Editing is often done to correct mistakes, by cutting out the bad parts, and/or replacing them with good ones. This can be quite simple and may only involve cutting out a few seconds during which the talent made a mistake. It also can become quite challenging, especially if the retakes do not quite fit the rest of the recording, as to color temperature, background sounds, continuity, or field of view.

The most difficult, but most satisfying editing assignments are those in which you must build a show from a great many takes. In this case, the edit is the major production phase. This is especially true in EFP post production, when all takes are shot with a single camera to be combined later.

The most common method of editing audiotape is for the unwanted material to be cut out. Although this method has been in place since the introduction of magnetic recording tape many years ago, the "cut and splice" technique is still the preferred editing method of the broadcast industry. The manual reel- to-reel tape edit is simple, requires no expensive or exotic equipment, and depending on the skill of the editor, can produce a clean and extremely accurate edit.

The media of today is the internet and I am sure all students read the stories on the sites and e-editions of news papers. Let us take a look at the process of editing a story on the net. There are four steps you will be taking to come with a tailored web write up.

It is the job of the photo editor to select the best photograph which tells the story on its own. The photo editor edits it to suit the space in the page without destroying or distorting the essence of the picture, and gives it a good display. It is not always to the liking of the photographer, but the photo editor has to do his job. A good photo editor always takes the photographers into confidence, holding frequent discussions with them from the time the assignments are given to them till the final outcome of the photograph on the photo editor's desk. It is the photo editor's duty to give the photographers ideas about the picture possibilities.

From this we can clearly distinguish that editing for electronic media requires much more technical know-how but editing for print media requires more knowledge about the language and its orientation.

Q3) What is an editorial and how many types of editorials are there? Discuss with examples.

Ans) An editorial is an article that states the newspaper's views on a particular news, event or an issue of concern. It is the official stance of the publication. You can find them at the same place on the same page of the newspaper, every day. This page is called the editorial page and the place is the left hand column of the page, from top to bottom. There are various types of editorials. They have been discussed below:

Staff editorials Vs. front page editorials

Staff editorials comment on the opinion page written by the editors or writers working for the newspaper. Front page editorials are opinions of the editor-in-chief or owner of the newspaper in an editorial column format on the first page of the newspaper. These are written only in great emergencies or on topics of supreme importance.

Signed Vs Unsigned editorials

The staff editorials are unsigned editorials, which means that the name of the author is not given. It implies, that it is the opinion of the newspaper. Front page editorials are usually signed and this is to stress the importance of the viewpoint of not only the newspaper but also of the editor-in-chief or managing editor. Generally these people are persons of stature, with importance in society and their opinion makes a difference. After the cease fire of Gulf War I, Times of India's front page editorial Pax Americana signed by the Editor-in-Chief Dilip Padgaonkar was very popular. Events like September 11, deaths of nation heads and change of governments have also seen front page signed editorials written.

Third Editorial or Entertainment editorial

Traditionally on the opinion page there are three editorials. The first two are on serious news issues. The third editorial often is humor based and entertains. Many a times newspapers follow this in their policy and other times they don't. At least once a week the edit pages of newspapers have a third editorial. This can or cannot have a byline, depending on the policy of the newspaper. Reproduced below is a bylined third editorial of the Hindu.

Critical Editorial

As the name suggests a critical editorial seeks to point out a flaw, judge severely and find fault. This is likely the type of editorial you are used to seeing.

Persuasive editorial

A persuasive editorial seeks to persuade the readers about a sensitive issue. Is it the best way to convince the masses that your opinion is better? Yes, normally it uses valid examples that play on your emotions and also make sense. Remember, it is an editorial where the writer presents both the sides of the issues-and illustrates why your opinion is logically better.

Interpretative editorials

An interpretative editorial takes a complex issue and breaks it down. It tries to answer questions like why, how, whom, what, when and where. In addition such an editorial will also comment on the positive and negatives of the issue.

Advocacy editorial

These are editorials which advocate certain causes or issues. These explain the significance of an idea and tell the reader, why whatever happened is important. Such editorials promote or advocate changes. They may also add solutions and recombine a course of action. However, the overall tone of the editorial is neither negative nor is it point by point criticism.

Q4) What is the importance of reviews in media and their impact on the audiences? Answer this question with reference to books, films, music, art and theatre reviews.

Ans) Book reviews:

For the publishing industry and the authors, the book review columns form a channel of communications to the readers. They also help the librarians too to select books. The book reviews that appear in modem journalism are of a different kind than the literary criticism. They are mostly press notices of books as they are released from time to time. In modem journalism the function of book review is to let the readers know what are the new arrivals on the book stands. Broadly speaking, they are quick notices -- not meant to be value judgements - as such. The modem authors, modem reviewers and modem readers are in a hurry.

Music Reviews/Journalism:

A music critic is someone who reviews music and publishes writing on them in books or journals or on the internet. It is not necessary that a critic be a composer of classical music also. Critics have not always been respected by their subjects. A rock music composer declared that "Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read." Little wonder, music critics are often on the receiving end as their subjects do not like negative reviews of their composition or performance. Subudu and Mohan Nadkami, Manjari Sinha and Ravindra Mishra are among the prominent Indian Music critics.

Theatre Reviews:

Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films, individually or collectively. Film critics working for newspapers, magazines, broadcast media, and online publications, mainly review new releases. Normally they only see any given film once and have only a day or two to formulate opinions. Despite this, critics have an important impact on films, especially those of certain genres. The popularity of mass-marketed action, horror, and comedy films tend not to be greatly affected by a critic's overall judgment of a film. The plot summary and description of a film that makes up the majority of any film review can have an important impact on whether people decide to see a film. For prestige films with a limited release the influence of reviews is extremely important. Poor reviews will often doom a film to obscurity and financial loss.

The impact of reviews on a film's box office performance is a matter of debate. Some claim movie marketing is so intense and well financed that reviewers cannot make an impact against it.

Film producers respect the clout of reviewers. Since so much money is riding on positive reviews, studios often work to woo film critics. Any major release is accompanied by mailings to film critics press kits containing background information, many photos for use in a publication, and often small gifts. Film reviewers who appear on television are given clips from the movie which they may use.

Art Reviews:

Art criticism is responding to, interpreting meaning, and making critical judgements-about specific works of art. Usually art criticism focuses on individual, contemporary works of art.

Edmund Feldman, a famous Art critic writes that art criticism is "spoken or written 'talk' about Art" and that "the central task of criticism" is interpretation. He developed a widely used sequential approach to art criticism based on description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment.

Stephen Dobbs another renowned Art critic states that, through art criticism, people "look at art, analyze the forms, offer multiple interpretations of meaning, make critical judgments, and talk or write about what they see, think, and feel."

Q5) Write a short feature on “Social issues depicted in our mainstream cinema have impacted our society in a positive manner.”

Ans) Movies are rollercoaster ride that have the tremendous power to entertain and to teach. They can be a powerful tool to bring about effective social change - true or false? It seems intuitive and logical that a well-made film- especially one with a compelling narrative and well-crafted outreach plan would serve as a catalyst to change minds, encourage viewers to change entrenched behaviours, and start inform or reenergize social movements (Diana Barrett and Sheila Leddy, "Assessing Creative Media's Social Impact", Fledging Fund, Dec'08). But another group of people believe that it can be surprisingly difficult to make a firm connection between the power of a film and social change so the social impact of movies needs to be better understood and documented although it is important to note that not all films are intended to be agents of social change, nor should they be. Some are simply lovely moving stories whose primary purpose is to entertain and share a compelling story.

Researchers also believe that even if movies do not intend to contribute to the formation of values, they most assuredly do. By virtue of its interactive nature and arousing content, movies are influencing our values and expectation of reality, regardless of our willingness to be influenced. Although the learning is unintentional, it is just as effective as intentional learning and influences our thoughts and behaviour.

The impulse to celebrate the impact of movies is understandable-all that glamour, glitzy visibility and cultural panache (G. Kendrick MacDowell, "Yes, movies affect us, but"). Movies can be seen as a source of diversion in people's everyday lives. They are loved by one and all, irrespective of gender and age. It cannot be out rightly denied that movies influence us and affect our behaviour in some way or another. The impact can be either good or bad.

In 1920's movie exploded as mainstream entertainment as there were no radio or TV set during that period. A lot of researchers believed that movies had impact on attitude and behaviours of people and they launched a series of studies focusing on effect of films. There were 13 studies conducted primarily by Edgar Dale. He studied film content and categorized them into 10 groups. An observation which came out was more than 75% fall into crime, love and sex categories. Interestingly same kind of trend can also probably been seen today. Edgar Dale used census, survey, questionnaires, case studies and personal interviews in his study. It was observed movies caused attitude, emotions, behavioural change in people who were the part of the study.

Herbert Blumer conducted questionnaires and interviews with people to study how watching movies affected their behaviour. Most of the people who were studied believed that they had been influenced by movies in some way ("A brief History of Media Effects Research").

In one of the study, Andrew Butler of Washington University decided to simulate a classroom where films were used as a teaching tool. The accurate version of an historical event was taught to the students and they were also made to watch a movie associated with that event. The movie that was shown contained both accurate and inaccurate information about the historical incidents they depicted. The idea was to see which method led to the most accurate comprehension of the events: teaching or watching a movie. The results were really interesting, when the information in the film and the reading were contradictory - that is, when the film was inaccurate - the students were more likely to recall the film's distorted version and were very confident in their memories, even though they were wrong (Herbert, Wray, "I Learned It at the Movies", Scientific American Mind).

Films affect perceptions that people hold about the world at large and its inhabitants in particular. Even though some people may like to disregard cinema as only a frivolous means of entertainment and nothing beyond that, one cannot ignore the fact that there have been film makers who have managed to lift veil on a hidden plight. It might be about an injustice to a minority, or the courageous story of change by a single individual, but either way it raises awareness about the issue at hand

Q6) Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper to draw the attention of the public to unregistered medical practitioners exploiting the poor.

Ans)

To,

Editor in Chief,

XYZ Newspaper,

India

Subject: Important story about unregistered medical practitioners

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter in connection with a very important news story I have to share with you. In the recent past I have been appraised about a situation that is truly heart-breaking. I have found a unregistered medical practitioner racket in our nearby locality.

This is a very important and urgent issue that needs to be brought out to the general public as more and more people, especially the poor ones who cannot afford regular medical care are getting trapped in this. The unregistered medical practitioners are exploiting these people and in some cases this has even resulted in the death of the individual.

I urge you, dear sir to please follow up on this story as it is of the utmost importance. I am doing my duty as a citizen to inform you of this so that this can be brought out to the general public and this can finally stop. I look forward to hearing from you. I would be happy to help you with any additional details you may need. Do let me know.

Sincerely,

ABC

Q7) You have been sent as a reporter to Braj on this Holi. Write a report to showcase how the festival of Holi was celebrated. What did you see there? During the festivities you witness the celebrations take an ugly turn as a brawl breaks out and some anti-social elements manhandle some girls.

Ans) Holi as a festival can be understood at various levels. Let’s explore the beauty of Holi.

As icy winds and fog in North India force people to stay indoors, residents of Vrindavan and surroundings, shedding all fear of the cold are ready to be drenched in the fifty-day Braj Bhumi Holi, which begins every year on Vasant Panchami in January.

In other parts of the country the festival of Holi is of two days but in Braj Bhumi, Holi is played non-stop for fifty days starting from Vasant Panchami, celebrating the event of playing of Holi between Radha Rani and Sri Krishna. The government here puts in place heavy security arrangements in place ahead of the occasion as the festivities of colours will start in different temples of Braj Bhumi.

People played with the ashes of that pyre by throwing it on each other and thereby celebrating the victory of good over evil. Now that day is celebrated as Dhulendi or Holi.

Most people observed a fast to pay respect to Lord Vishnu on Holi – on Full Moon of Phalguna month. On this day, Holika is burnt on a pyre. Other than for glorifying Lord Vishnu and Prahlada it is also celebrated for eternal peace throughout the year.

Holi with colours was played by the lord – the holi of Vrindavan and Barsana is famous. Therefore its bonafide if a devotee wants to play with colours with the lord. What a lot of people do is to play with the lord with kesar and gulabjal, then with flowers.

The Holi festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships, and is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.

During the festival, a brawl was instigated and some punks started man handling some women. Sources say that they were under the influence of alcohol and drugs. This caused a scene to occur amongst the happy celebrations of the festival of Holi. The police were called to intervene and the perpetrators were taken care of immediately. The rest of the function went smoothly and everyone had a good time.

Q8) Write an imaginary interview with a person who is a cancer survivor. Frame 10 questions that you would ask and their possible answers, so that a clear picture of his/her fight against the illness emerges, and shows how a positive attitude helps to win over any disease.

Ans)