- Early Newspapers – Newspapers became the first mass medium after the introduction of printing technology.
- Bengal Gazette (1780) – The first English newspaper in India, started by James Augustus Hickey.
- Darpan (1832), edited by Balshastri Jambhekar, reported on political, social, and cultural events.
- Prabhakar – Started by Bhau Mahajan; it published writings that created social awareness.
- Dnyanoday – First to print maps and illustrations; reported railways, telegraph, and the 1857 revolt.
- Induprakash & Deenbandhu – Supported social reforms and highlighted issues of common people.
- Kesari & Maratha (1881) – Started by Tilak and Agarkar; played a major role in the political awakening and the freedom movement.
Definitions [2]
Definition: Mass Media
Mass media is a means of communication used to share information with a large number of people.
Definition: Newspaper
‘Newspaper’ is a publication, which mainly prints news, editorials, people’s opinions, entertaining or other supplementary content.
Key Points
Key Points: History of Mass Media
Key Points: Development of Print Media
- Magazines and journals are periodical publications issued weekly, monthly, yearly, or irregularly.
- Digdarshan was the first monthly Marathi magazine started by Balshastri Jambhekar.
- Pragati was a historiographical journal started in 1929 by Tryambak Shankar Shejwalkar.
- Such journals contributed to the study of history and social movements.
- Today, many journals publish historical studies, such as Bharatiya Itihas ani Samskruti.
Key Points: Emergence of Electronic Media
- Digital journalism includes websites, social media, YouTube, and online news platforms.
- Radio broadcasting in India began with the Indian Broadcasting Company and later became All India Radio (AIR).
- After independence, AIR was named Akashvani and broadcast educational and cultural programmes.
- Television in India started with Doordarshan in 1959, and colour TV began in 1982.
- After 1991, private TV channels were allowed, expanding access to global events.
Key Points: Need for Mass Media
- Mass media help in the free flow of information to all people.
- Newspapers support democracy and allow people to express their opinions.
- Television is an audio-visual medium better than print and radio.
- Television shows real events as they actually happened.
Key Points: Critical View of Mass Media
- Information received through mass media should always be critically examined.
- Media news may not always present the exact truth, so careful review is necessary.
- The Hitler diaries case in Germany shows how false information can appear in print.
- Therefore, people must be cautious and alert while trusting media information.
Key Points: Mass Media and Professional Opportunities
- Newspapers use history to explain the background of current news and compare it with past events.
- Historical columns such as “50 Years Ago” or “100 Years Ago” provide information from historical records.
- Special issues and supplements are published to commemorate important historical events.
- Knowledge of history is essential for writing articles, editorials, reviews, and columns in newspapers.
- Radio programmes use history for expert discussions, speeches, and shows like “On This Day in History”.
- Television channels present history through serials and documentaries, requiring accuracy and deep historical knowledge.
- People with strong knowledge of history have professional opportunities in newspapers, radio, and television.
Important Questions [11]
- Write Short Note on Need of Mass Media.
- Read the Following Passage and Answer the Questions Based on It:
- Complete the Sentence by Choosing the Correct Option. the First English Newspaper in India Was Started by _______
- Identify the wrong pair in the following, correct it, and rewrite. (1) ‘Prabhakar’ - Acharya P.K. Atre (2) ‘Darpan’ - Balshastri Jambhekar (3) ‘Deenbandhu’ - Krishnarao Bhalekar
- Explain the following sentence with its reasons. Knowledge of history is essential for newspaper articles.
- Write a short note on the role of newspapers in the Indian struggle for independence.
- Identify the wrong pair in the following and rewrite it: James Augustus Hickey - Bengal Gazette Balshastri Jambhekar - Darpan Bhau Mahajan - Dnyanoday Bal Gangadhar Tilak - Kesari
- Answer the following question in detail: Write in detail 'History of Akashwani'.
- Identify the wrong pair in the following and rewrite.
- What were the different means of communication known around the world before the advent of Newspapers ?
- Write a short note. Need of mass media
