Theories of Press and their relevant to the present day; Journalism as a profession, Professional Organisations- Press Council of India; Starting a Newspaper, Career Oppurtunities in Journalism.

1. JOURNALISM
UNIT - 4
By,
By,
Anandhi R (21PYJ012)
Daniel (21PYJ010)
Ephraim (21PYJ008)
,

4. THEORIES OF PRESS MEDIA

5. THEORIES OF PRESS MEDIA
• Mass media does not operate in a vacuum; the
press always takes on the form and coloration of
the social and political structures within which it
operates. Normative theories were first proposed
by Fred, Peterson and Wilbur Schramm in their
book called “Four Theories of the Press”. At first
the word “Normative Theory” was pronounced in
USA during the height of “Cold War” with
communism and soviet. Often it called as western
theories of mass media.

6. • A Normative theory describes an ideal way for a
media system to be controlled and operated by the
government, authority, leader and public. These
theories are basically different from other
communication theories because normative theories of
press are not providing any scientific explanations or
predication. At the same these “four theories of the
press” came from many sources rather than a single
sources.
• Sometimes media practitioners, social critics and
academics also involved to develop these normative
theories. Normative theories are more focused in the
relationship between Press and the Government than
Press and the audience. These theories are more
concern about the ownership of the media and who
controls the press or media in the country.

7. • By contrast normative statements affirm how things
should or ought to be, how to value them, value them,
which things are good or bad. Normative theories are
divided into the following categories:
1. Authoritarian:
Long before the democratic societies could
think of matters pertaining to freedom of speech,
there existed a thought that the emergence of media
should not challenge the writ of the government which
were more in dictatorial form and less they looked like
democracies. The media was forced to remain under
state control. It had following features which, in non
democratic governments still rule on media:

8. A) Direct governmental control of the media.
Typical to pre-democratic societies, where the
government consists of very small ruling-class.
B) No printing that could undermine the established
authority or offense to existing political set up.
C) The government may punish anyone who
questions in the states ideology and the media
professionals are not allowed to have any
independence within the media organization.
D) Registration of the media by the state.

9. • This theory developed in the 16th and 17th
centuries and was mainly based on absolute power
of the monarchy (truth). It was essential that the
press supports monarchy and couldn’t criticise it.
This approach was designed to protect the
established social order, setting clear limits to
media freedom and ensure that it is not the media
which must talk about people and their problems
in any manner. According to this theory, mass
media though not under the direct control of the
state, had to follow its bidding.

11. THE THEORY ENVISAGES:
A) The government consists of a very limited and small
ruling-class and media are not allowed to print or
broadcast anything which could undermine the
established authority of the government.
B) Any offense to the existing political values should be
avoided and the government many punish anyone
who questions the states ideology.
C) The government is infallible and the media
professionals are therefore not allowed to have any
independence within the media organization.
D) Foreign media are subordinate to the established
authority, in that all imported media products are
controlled by the state.

12. • Step were taken to control the freedom of expression. The
result was advocacy of complete dictatorship. The theory
promoted zealous obedience to a hierarchical superior and
reliance on threat and punishment of those who did not
follow the censorship rules or did not respect authority.
Censorship of the press was justified on the ground that
the state always took precedence over the individuals right
to freedom of expression.
• This theory stemmed from the authoritarian philosophy of
Plato (407-327 B.C) who thought that the state was safe
only in the hands of a few wise men. Thomas Hobbes (588-
1679) a British academician, argued that the power to
maintain order was sovereign and individual objections
were to be ignored. Engel, a German thinker further
reinforced the theory by supreme right only under
authoritarianism. The world has been witness to
authoritarian means of control over media by both
dictatorial and democratic governments.

13. • This theory essentially applies to authoritarian
societies, but can surface in less authoritarian societies
particularly in times of war, terrorism). It depends on
the medium/media of press subject to a greater control
in some countries. There are certain assumptions
attached to the authoritarian approach, which are as
follows:
A) Press should do nothing to undermine vested power
and interests.
B) Press should be subordinate to vested power and
authority.
C) Press should avoid acting in contravention of
prevailing moral and political values.
D) Censorship justified moral and political values.
E) Media is an instrument/mouthpiece policy, to
publicise and propagandise.

14. Journalism As A Profession

15. JOURNALISM AS A
PROFESSION
• Journalism is a process of collecting, analysing
and disseminating information in the public
interest.
• This means it is a profession with a strong element
of social responsibility.
• That is why journalists are required to follow the
highest ethical standards – accuracy, balance,
impartiality and truthfulness, independent of any
commercial or political interests.

16. AIMS:
• It aims to allow its audience to understand the
world around them, enabling readers and viewers
to make well informed decisions about their lives,
their communities, their governments and the way
their policies shape them. Beside that, there is also
a desire to entertain, but that is still secondary.

17. MAIN ROLE:
• The role of journalism, then, is to reflect reality as
clearly and accurately as possible. By supporting
public debate, exploring relevant issues of public
interest and holding decision makers accountable, it
helps sustain public trust and engagement in the
institutions that govern their lives.

19. PROFESSIONAL OGRANIASTION –
(Press Council of India)
• The Press Council of India of India was first set
up year 1966 by the Parliament on the
recommendations of the first press commission
with the object of preserving the freedom of the
press and of maintaining and improving the
standards of press in India.
Backdrop:
First press commission (1952-54). This
commission recommended that there should be a
press council.

20. • Press council of India was constituted on July 04,
1966 while its functioning started on Nov 16, 1966.
• Justice J.R Mudholkar was appointed as the First
Chairman.

21. MEMBERS:
Press Council Act 1965-25
• Working Journalism – 13
• Newspaper owners – 06
• Specialists – 03
• M.P - 03

22. Members:
Press Council Act 1970: 25+1=26
• Working Journalists – 13
• Newspaper Owners – 06
• Specialists – 03
• M.P – 03
• News Agency - 01

23. Press Council Act 1978: 26+2=28
• Working Journalists – 13
• Newspaper Owners – 06
• Specialists – 03
• M.P - 05
• News Agency – 01

25. Selection Of Chairman & Members
Press Council Act 1965
• Chairman was nominated by the Chief Justice of
India.
• Members of Parliament are nominated by the
Speaker of Loksabha and Rajyasabha.
• Remaining 23 members were selected by a
committee. (Chief Justice of India, Chairman of
Press Council and Representative of the President
of India).
Tenure-
• 3 Years.

26. Emergency- The Twist in the Story
• 25 June 1975- Internal Emergency was imposed.
• Dec 1975- Press Council Act 1965 was repealed.
• 1 Jan 1976- Press Council was dissolved.
• Jan 1977 – Emergency was lifted.

27. Scenario After Emergency
• Press Council Act 1978.
• Press Council was reconstituted 1979.
• No. of members- 28.
• Chairman- Justice AN Grover.

28. Selection of Chairman and Members
• Chairman was selected by a 3 Members
committee. Chairman of Rajyasabha and
Loksabha, one representative from newly selected
members of Press Council).
• 13 working Journalists – 06 Editors, 07 working
Journalists are selected from National
Organizations of Journalists.

29. Starting A Newspaper

30. Starting A Newspape
• In order to establish a newspaper or periodical or
printed publication in India it is necessary for the
owners to obtain a RNI registration from the
registrar of the newspapers. Our ministry of
information and broadcasting controls and frame
rules for the registrar of newspapers for India
(RNI) under the press and registration of books
act, 1867 (PRB). Approval of the RNI is required
to start a business of newspaper, magazine,
journals etc.

31. Process Of Registration
• The process has been divided into following steps:
* Verification of the Title:
The first and the most important step for
registration of a newspaper is the verification of the
title. The purpose of this practice is to ensure the
availability of the title and to avoid conflict in the
future. The district magistrate (DM) verifies these
details and accordingly give his approval. An
application is required to be made for little
verification, containing :

32. • The name of the news paper
• The name of the owner
• The language of circulation
• Periodicity
• The proposed area of publication
• This information must be submitted to the concerned
district magistrate. The DM then verifies these
credentials and forwards the applications to the RNI.
Subsequently a letter of tile verification is issued by
RNI to notify the DM and publisher about the title
availability . A declaration is required to be filled by
the publisher with the DM to start publishing the
newspaper. You can also get you RNI verification done
online.

33. • Authentication of Declaration:
After obtaining the title verification letter from
the RNI, it should be presented to the authority
concerned (DM/DC/SDM/DCP/JCP/CMM etc). Along
with a properly filled deceleration ((Form 1) for
authentication. In an event, the publisher and printer
are required. In case, the place of publication and
printing press are in different districts, separate
declarations are required from both the districts. The
published can file the declaration from the district or
place of publication, and printer can file it form the
district of printing press.

34. • Publication of the first issue:
The PRB Act 1867 states that the first
issue should be brought within 42 days of
authentication of declaration, in case periodicity is
daily or weekly. If the periodicity is fortnightly or
above, first issue should be brought out within 90
days of authentication of declaration. In case the
place of publication and printing press are in
different districts then the data of authentication
of place of publication declaration filed by
publisher will be consider for calculating 42/90
days for beginning of first issue. In case for a
delay in the publication of the first issue, a revised
declartion should be filled.

35. • Following is the list of documents required for the
registration for the registration of a
newspaper/publication:
• A copy of the title verification letter issued by
RNI.
• Declaration (form 1) filed by the publisher and the
duty authentication by DM/DC/SDM/JCP/CMM.
• A written agreement between owner of periodical.
In case the owner of the periodical and owner of
the printing press are not same, the agreement
submitted must both the signatures.

36. • A copy of the first issue, i.e. volume 1, issue 1,
while submitting the first issue, please, make sure
that:
• The first issue has volume 1, issue 1 clearly
printed on the front page.
• The issue carries the printed title, page numbers
and full date of its publication.
• The title or the masthead is presented in a
uniform font/letter size. Any variation should not
exceed 25%.
• The published newspaper/periodical contains
public news, views or comments.
• The newspaper/periodical must only be published
in the languages verified by RNI.
• Use of symbols, graphics, emotions etc in place of

37. • The imprint line in every copy must carry the
correct and complete information.
• A signed copy of the printer agreement
authorization in writing from owner(s),
authorizing individual (by name) to make and
subscribe declaration as publisher/printer, in the
case where the publisher or printer making a
declaration is not the owner thereof. Certificate of
registration.
• The certificate of registration is issued by press
registrar once:
• The magistrate issues a copy of the declaration
and
• The first issue of the periodical is published.

38. • The office of the registrar of newspapers for the
India is headquartered in New Delhi, and has
three regional offices at Calcutta, Mumbai and
Chennai to cater to the needs of published in all
corners of the country.

39. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN JOURNALISM :

40. Career Opportunities in
Journalism:
• Journalism majors are skilled writers, readers and
communicators who are curious and exited to
learn. Twenty years ago, a journalism degree
could be considered as a ticket to a job as a
reporter for a newspaper or magazine. But with
the emergence of new industries and digital
media, a journalism degree can lead to a much
broader range of jobs, including positions in social
media and design.

41. :

42. Career
1
• Print Journalism:
The newspaper in India are still
going strong. They are highly respected brands
and offer great career opportunities. You can start
as a reporter opportunities or copy editor and rise
to the top. The minimum eligibility is BA in Mass
Communication.

43. Career 2
• Digital Photography:
If you love photography and
if you want to be in thick of action, then this is the
career for you. As a photographer, you not only
see history being made but also get an opportunity
to capture it. You can also join an advertising
agency and make a name for yourself as a product
photographer.

44. Career
3
• Radio:
A graduation degree in mass
communication readies you for an RJ’s job. All
that you need is a good voice, wit and ability to
think on your feet. You will be a very valuable
Radio Jockey with a wide following.

45. Career 4
• Television Journalism:
There are multiple careers
waiting for journalism graduates. You can become
a star reporter or a celebrity anchor if you love
being in front of the camera. Those who want less
sedate jobs can join television newsrooms as
editors and shape news telecasts.

46. Career
5
• Advertising:
This is a felid for the creative minds.
You can write ad copy that stays in people’s minds
for generations; and you an plan and execute
campaign and convince corporate clients of why
they should give their advertising campaign to
you. It’s a high voltage career and offers several
high paying jobs.

47. Career 6
• Public Relations:
There was a time when few
ventured into this field. Today, it has evolved into
an exciting career that plays great salaries and
provides immense satisfaction. You not only create
a positive image for your company but also work
closely with the CEO and top managers in doing
so.

48. Career
7
• Web Journalism:
This is a new career that
beckons mass communication gradates. It
demands a new kind of writing and editing skills,
and is immensely suited for those graduates who
love to spend time on the net. The web, like print
too needs both reporters and copy editors.

49. Career
8
• Social Media:
This is a career for the new
generation that lives on social media platforms. If
you spend 12 to 14 hrs on Facebook, twitter,
youtube then you must do a quick graduation in
mass communications, and build a career in social
media. The highest number of jobs are being
created in social media. What’s more they are
highly paying jobs too.

50. Career 9
• Event Management:
This is yet another career
where there are more jobs than trained graduates.
A degree in mass communication prepares you to
get into this exciting world.

51. Career
10
• Film-Making:
This is for the brave, and the
imaginative. You can scale intoxicating heights or
disappear without a trace. So you need to be
careful when getting into the fickle world of films.
Once again, a degree in mass communications can
make you a dream merchant.