16. Reading Skills Comprehension: Media

MEDIA

(Bank P.O. 1995)

Read the Passage carefully and answers the following Questions:-

 Two principles are involved in the controversy about the presence of foreign-controlled media in the country; the free flow of ideas and images across national borders and the need to safeguard the national interest and preserve cultural autonomy. Both are valid but both are at loggerheads because each has been used to promote less lofty goals. The first principle conforms to a moral imperative; freedom of expression cannot rhyme with restrictions imposed by any government. But the free flow rhetoric also clouds the fact that the powerful Western, and especially American, media can and often do present, subtly or brazenly, news in a manner which promotes Western political, ideological and strategic interests. Besides, Western enter-attainment programmers present lifestyles and values cherished by traditional societies. All this explains why so many Indian newspapers, magazines and news agencies have sought protection from the courts to prevent foreign publications and news agencies from operating in the country. Their arguments are weak on two counts. As the bitter debate on a new world information and communication order demonstrated in the late seventies and early eighties, many of those who resent Western ‘invasion’ in the information and cultural fields are no great friends of democracy. Secondly, the threat of such an ‘invasion’ has been aired by those media groups in the developing countries who fear that their business interests will be harmed if Western groups, equipped with large financial and technological resources and superior management skills, are allowed to operate in the country without let.

 The fear is valid but it goes against the gain of the economic reform programmed. The presence of foreign newspapers and television channels will increase competition which, in course of time, can only lead to the up gradation of dynamic Indian newspapers and television channels even while they drive the rest out of the market. One way to strike a balance between the two antagonistic principles would be to allow foreign media entry into the country, provided the Indian state treats them on par with the domestic media on all fronts. On the import of technology, for instance, foreign media cannot be allowed duty concessions denied to their Indian counterparts. Foreign media will also have to face the legal consequences should they run afoul of Indian laws. Why, for example, should the BBC, or Time magazine or The Economist get away with showing a map of Kashmir which is at variance with the office Indian map? Why should they go scot-free when they allow secessionists and terrorists to air their views without giving the government the right of reply? Or when they depict sexually explicit scenes which would otherwise not be cleared by the Censor Board? Since the government can do precious little in the matter, especially about satellite broadcasts, what if it should consider attaching the properties of the offending parties? Demands of this kind are bound to be voiced unless New Delhi makes it clear to the foreign media that they will have to respect Indian susceptibilities, especially where it concerns the country’s integrity and its culture. It may be able to derive some inspiration from France’s successful attempts in the recent GATT to protect its cinematographic industry.

1. Which of the following is one of the points weakening the argument to prevent the entry of foreign media?

 (a) The foreign media may not be treated on par with the domestic media.

(b) Such entry would be against traditional culture.

(c) The arguments being put forth are at loggerheads.

(d) The threat being voiced by those whose business will be harmed by such entry.

(e) None of these.

 2. Which of the following has been the major recommendation regarding the entry of foreign media?

(a) Allow entry provided they do not ask for duty concessions on import of technology.

 (b) Allow entry treating them on par with domestic media.

(c) It should be welcomed without putting any restrictions.

(d) It should not be allowed.

(e) None of these.

3. Which of the following means ‘without let’?

(a) without confinement

(b) without restrictions

(c) with no difficulty

(d) with strings

(e) conducive environment

4. Which of the following means ‘at loggerheads’ as used in the passage?

(a) opposite each other

 (b) unsuited to each other

(c) in league with

(d) unimportant

 (e) out of place

5. Why should the entry of foreign media harm ode’ interests?

(a) Different sets of laws and rules were made applicable to foreign media.

(b) Economic reform programmers will get a setback.

 (c) The cultural heritage will be lost.

 (d) They are better equipped managerially and technologically.

(e) None of these

 6. In the controversy involving two principles regarding allowing foreign media, which of the following is against its entry?

(a) Governmental restrictions

(b) Preserve culture

(c) Security across national borders

(d) Western ideology

(e) Free flow of ideas

7. Which of the following will be the impact of increasing competition?

 (a) It will improve Indian newspapers and television.

(b) The domestic media will not be able to withstand it.

(c) The Indian news agencies will seek protection from the court.

 (d) The foreign media will not be allowed duty concessions on import of technology.

 (e) None of these

8. Which of the following means ‘at variance’ as used in the passage?

(a) at large                   (b) in conformity

(c) variable                  (d) discrepancy

 (e) differing

9. A country has been cited as having succeeded in protecting which of the following?

(a) News Agencies      (b) Television

(c) GATT                    (d) Cultural relations

(e) None of these

10. According to the passage, which media, in particular, promotes Western interests?

(a) Western                  (b) Foreign

(c) American               (d) French

(e) None of these

 11. Which of the following seems to be the most likely purpose of writing this passage?

 (a) To highlight the exploitation by developed nations

(b) To make the public aware of the technological and managerial superiority of western media

(c) To criticize foreign media

 (d)lb highlight the steps and caution to be taken about the entry of foreign media

(e) lb prevent foreign media from entering our country

  Answers:-

1.(b)                 2.(a)

3.(b)                 4.(c)

5. (d)               6. (b)

7. (d)               8. (d)

9. (c)                10. (d)

11.(d)

Download the above Passage in PDF (Printable)

Need our help or have some question