Question

Since the long fight for the freedom of the press in the eighteenth century, the importance of newspapers reflecting public opinion has become unquestioned. The need of independent journalists, free comment and access to information is accepted by all politicians and administrators. But during the twentieth century, several forces have threatened this independence, Of these, the most spectacularly dangerous are the commercialisation and concentration of the newspapers, which reach an extreme form in the country today . I was recently asked to state the responsibilities of a newspaper editor and I gave the following reply:
“The responsibilities of an editor are to maintain the character and tradition of his newspaper; to publish only what he sincerely believes to be accurate: to be fair, honest and objective; and above all, to keep the face of truth unclouded.”
A newspaper is not a newspaper in the true sense of the word, if it concentrates on news of a tendentious kind, if it selects its news items with the object of misleading its readers, or if it upholds certain items that would have enabled its readers to see the picture as a balanced whole. In journalism, the guiding principle should be, “Facts are sacred, comments are free.” A newspaper has two sides to it. It is a business like any other, and it has to pay, in the material sense, to live. But it is much more than a business. It is an institution which reflects, and influences the life of the whole society. It may educate, stimulate, assist, or it may do the opposite.
Headlines in the newspapers are the cause of much criticism. The modern trend is towards brighter and more colourful headlines, and this, it must be admitted, often results in strictly objective reports being given a twist that comes very near to being comments. Radio and T.V. have added to the problems of print media. They have already usurped some of the news- providing side of papers and have pushed them towards magazines. During the season of cricket matches, the popularity of cricket commentary puts them above all newspapers.

a) Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage. One word answers or short phrases will be accepted.
i) Misleading
ii) Stimulate.

b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words :
i) In what way were newspapers threatened?
ii) What is a guiding principle behind a newspaper?
iii) What is the author’s opinion of modern newspapers?

c) In not more than 50 words, state what features make a good newspaper. ​

Answer 1

Answer:

Misleading:- to make somebody wrong idea.

Stimulate:- to make more active.