NCERT Class 7 Polity Chapter 6 understanding media notes

Chapter 6: Understanding media

These NCERT Class 7 Polity Chapter 6 notes explain the role of media in a democratic country like India. The chapter helps students understand how media connects people with the government and provides information about social and political issues.

Understanding Media discusses different forms of media, its role in shaping public opinion, and how media acts as a watchdog in democracy. It also explains issues like agenda setting, influence of big business, and censorship.

This chapter helps students develop awareness about how media influences thinking, decision-making, and democracy.

1. Introduction: Why media matters in democracy

  • Media plays a very important role in a democracy like India.
  • It connects people and the government.
  • Through media, citizens get information about government decisions and social issues.
  • This chapter explains how media influences our thinking and democracy.
  • Media is like a mirror that shows what is happening in society, but sometimes the mirror is not clear.

2. Meaning of media

  • Media means all ways of communication with people.
  • Media includes newspapers, television, radio, internet, and social media.
  • Watching news on TV or reading a newspaper are common examples of media use.

3. Role of media in a democracy

  • Media performs many important functions in a democracy.

A. Providing information

  • Media informs people about government actions.
  • Media helps citizens make informed decisions.

B. Acting as a watchdog

  • Media keeps a check on the government.
  • Media exposes corruption and misuse of power.
  • Reporting on scams is an example of this role.

C. Creating public opinion

  • Media highlights important social issues.
  • Media brings people together for discussion and action.

4. Media and agenda setting

  • Agenda setting means media decides which issues are important.
  • Issues shown repeatedly by media appear more important.
  • Some important issues may be ignored by media.
  • Fashion Week getting more coverage than slum demolitions is an NCERT example.

5. Media and big business

  • Media depends on advertisements for money.
  • Big companies advertise heavily in media.
  • Advertisements can influence news coverage.
  • News may become one-sided.
  • Voices of the poor may be ignored.

6. Censorship

  • Censorship happens when the government stops media from publishing news.
  • Censorship limits freedom of expression.
  • Censorship negatively affects democracy.

7. Different forms of media

  • Print media includes newspapers and magazines.
  • Electronic media includes television and radio.
  • New media includes the internet and social media.

8. Indian examples from daily life

  • Newspapers reporting cases of corruption.
  • TV debates on government policies.
  • Social media campaigns on public issues.

9. Important keywords with simple meanings

  • Media – ways of communicating information to people.
  • Democracy – a system where people choose their government.
  • Agenda setting – media deciding which issues get more attention.
  • Censorship – control over what media can publish.
  • Advertisement – promotion of products or services through media.
  • Public opinion – views and ideas held by the general public.

Understanding NCERT Class 7 Polity Chapter 6 – Understanding Media is important to learn how media functions in a democracy and influences public opinion. The chapter clearly explains both the positive and negative roles of media in society.

The ideas discussed in this chapter help students become informed and responsible citizens and are highly useful for school examinations and foundation-level preparation.

Students should next read Chapter 7: Markets Around Us to understand how markets function and how buying and selling affect daily life.

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FAQs

Q1. What is meant by media in this chapter?
Media refers to different means of communication like newspapers, television, radio, internet, and social media.

Q2. What is the role of media in a democracy?
Media informs people, checks government actions, and helps in forming public opinion.

Q3. What is agenda setting by media?
Agenda setting means media deciding which issues are shown repeatedly and made important.

Q4. What is censorship?
Censorship is when the government controls or stops media from publishing certain news.

Q5. Why is NCERT Class 7 Polity Chapter 6 important for exams?
It explains media, democracy, and public opinion, making it important for school exams and foundation-level preparation.

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