ISC Class 12 Mass Media and Communication Sample Paper 2023 with Solutions

SECTION A - 14 MARKS

Question 1

(i) Which one of the following is a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas and information with the help of virtual networks and communities? [1 Mark]
(a) Social Media
(b) World Wide Web
(c) Browser
(d) Internet

Answer: (a) Social Media

Social media platforms use virtual networks to enable interactive communication and sharing among users.

Teacher's Note:
a) Social media specifically refers to internet-based applications built on Web 2.0 that allow user-generated content creation and exchange.
b) Students must not confuse this with the Internet itself, which is the underlying global infrastructure rather than the specific technology for virtual communities.

(ii) The genre of cinema that deals with solved or unsolved police cases is known as ______________. [1 Mark]
(a) Comedy
(b) Drama
(c) Crime
(d) Science-fiction

Answer: (c) Crime

Crime cinema focuses on criminal acts, investigations, detectives, and law enforcement agencies.

Teacher's Note:
a) Crime films often overlap with mysteries and thrillers centred around uncovering the truth behind unlawful acts.
b) Always check the primary thematic focus of the film genre before selecting the option.

(iii) What type of language is used by a Radio Jockey when communicating with the public? [1 Mark]
(a) Formal
(b) Conversational
(c) Multi-lingual
(d) Common

Answer: (b) Conversational

Radio Jockeys use a friendly, conversational tone to build a personal rapport with individual listeners.

Teacher's Note:
a) Conversational language makes the broadcast sound intimate, engaging, and approachable, as if talking directly to a friend.
b) Avoid confusing conversational style with purely common or slang language; it remains professional yet warm.

(iv) Which one of the following is NOT a part of culture? [1 Mark]
(a) Food
(b) Language
(c) Economy
(d) Religion

Answer: (c) Economy

Economy relates to the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, whereas culture encompasses beliefs, customs, arts, and institutions.

Teacher's Note:
a) Food, language, and religion are core symbolic and expressive elements of cultural identity and heritage.
b) While economic factors can influence culture, the economy itself is structured around financial and commercial systems rather than cultural values.

(v) The Lumiere brothers were the creators of the _____________. [1 Mark]

Answer: Cinematographe (or moving pictures / cinema).

Teacher's Note:
a) Auguste and Louis Lumiere patented the Cinematographe, a camera, printer, and projector all in one.
b) Ensure accurate spelling of historical terms like Cinematographe to secure full marks.

(vi) A mobile phone that allows the user to view images, surf the web and listen to music is an example of ______________ convergence. [1 Mark]

Answer: Technological (or media / digital)

Teacher's Note:
a) Technological convergence refers to the integration of multiple media functions into a single device, such as a smartphone.
b) Students should clearly distinguish between technological convergence and economic or cultural convergence.

(vii) The occurrence of an illegal activity online is known as _____________. [1 Mark]

Answer: Cybercrime

Teacher's Note:
a) Cybercrime includes any criminal activity committed using computers, networks, or digital devices.
b) Keep terms precise and standard as expected in media law and ethics vocabulary.

(viii) State whether the statements given below are True or False: [4 Marks]
(a) Media can be considered a vehicle for cultural transmission.
(b) Cross-media content has become possible because of technological convergence and the user’s understanding of various platforms.
(c) Blogs are solely designed for the sharing of photos and videos.
(d) A radio jockey needs to create visual imagery through his speech due to the lack of visual elements in radio.

Answer:
(a) True
(b) True
(c) False
(d) True

Teacher's Note:
a) Statement (c) is false because blogs primarily contain written text, articles, and commentary, although they may include multimedia.
b) State clearly whether each statement is True or False without omitting any sub-parts.

(ix) Online newspapers are a by-product of which type of convergence? [1 Mark]

Answer: Technological convergence (or media convergence)

Teacher's Note:
a) Online newspapers merge print journalism with digital internet delivery platforms.
b) Mention both the medium and the convergence type clearly.

(x) Which government body helps newspapers maintain their independence in India? [1 Mark]

Answer: Press Council of India (PCI)

Teacher's Note:
a) The Press Council of India is a statutory body charged with preserving the freedom of the press and maintaining standards of newspapers.
b) Remember the full name of the regulatory body for accurate answers.

(xi) State any two film certifications regulated by the Central Board of Film Certification. [1 Mark]

Answer:
1. 'U' (Unrestricted Public Exhibition)
2. 'A' (Adults Only Exhibition)

Teacher's Note:
a) CBFC classifies films into categories such as 'U', 'UA', 'A', and 'S' to guide viewers.
b) Listing any two valid certification categories satisfies the requirement.

SECTION B - 28 MARKS

Question 2. Elaborate on how social media has acted as catalyst for social change. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Amplification of voices: Social media gives marginalized groups and grassroots movements a direct platform to voice their concerns without relying on traditional media gates.
2. Rapid mobilization: Platforms like Twitter and Facebook enable instant communication, allowing activists to organize protests, rallies, and awareness campaigns globally within hours.
3. Accountability and transparency: Citizens can easily capture and upload video evidence of injustice, corruption, or human rights violations, holding authorities accountable.
4. Global solidarity: Social media builds transnational networks of support, helping local causes gain international attention and pressure governments for policy reforms.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain key mechanisms like mobilization, awareness, and transparency with clear examples.
b) Ensure all four distinct points are elaborated to secure full marks.

Question 3

(i) Differentiate between trustworthiness and empathy as two qualities that a journalist should possess. [4 Marks]

Answer:

Teacher's Note:
a) Use a tabular format for clear differentiation between professional ethics and emotional intelligence in journalism.
b) Emphasize that trust relates to factual accuracy, while empathy relates to emotional resonance.

OR

(ii) What are sting operations in journalism? State any two ethical issues in conducting sting operations. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Definition: A sting operation is an investigative journalism technique where reporters use deception, hidden cameras, or covert methods to expose corruption, illegal activities, or wrongdoing.
2. Ethical issue 1 (Entrapment): Reporters may actively lure or tempt individuals into committing a crime they otherwise would not have committed, compromising journalistic neutrality.
3. Ethical issue 2 (Invasion of privacy): Secretly recording individuals violates personal privacy rights, which is ethically justifiable only when there is an overriding public interest.

Teacher's Note:
a) Define sting operations clearly as undercover investigative methods aimed at unearthing hidden wrongdoing.
b) Clearly explain both ethical concerns: entrapment and invasion of privacy.

Question 4. What is a radio studio? Briefly explain how it functions. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Definition: A radio studio is a specially designed soundproof room equipped with microphones, mixing consoles, computers, and transmitting equipment used to record and broadcast audio programs.
2. Sound Isolation: The studio is acoustically treated with sound-absorbing materials to eliminate echo, external noise, and vibrations, ensuring crystal-clear audio capture.
3. Control Room Integration: Sound engineers and producers sit in an adjoining control room separated by a glass partition, monitoring audio levels, managing equipment, and cueing the RJ via intercom.
4. Transmission Workflow: Voices and music captured via microphones are routed through audio consoles, processed digitally, and sent to transmitters for air broadcast or streamed online.

Teacher's Note:
a) Divide the answer into studio definition, acoustic properties, and technical workflow.
b) Mention the distinct roles of the recording studio and the control room.

Question 5. Differentiate between cyber stalking and online bullying. [4 Marks]

Answer:

Teacher's Note:
a) Highlight the obsessive and fear-inducing nature of cyber stalking versus the public humiliation aspect of cyberbullying.
b) A tabular comparison helps clearly delineate overlapping digital offences.

Question 6

(i) Who was Robert Flaherty? What was his role in the evolution of cinema? [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Identity: Robert Flaherty was an American filmmaker widely regarded as the father of documentary cinema.
2. Pioneering work: He directed 'Nanook of the North' (1922), which is considered the first feature-length documentary film.
3. Cinematic approach: He integrated real-life storytelling with cinematic aesthetics, capturing the authentic daily lives and struggles of indigenous communities.
4. Evolution of the genre: His work established the ethnographic documentary tradition, proving that real-life subjects and non-fiction narratives could captivate commercial audiences.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention his seminal film 'Nanook of the North' and his title as the pioneer of documentaries.
b) Focus on how he shaped non-fiction storytelling in cinema history.

OR

(ii) Elaborate on the parallel cinema movement that occurred in India. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Origin: Parallel cinema (or Indian New Wave) emerged in the late 1950s and 1960s as a realistic alternative to mainstream commercial Bollywood cinema.
2. Core characteristics: It focused on realistic socio-economic issues, poverty, caste discrimination, and complex human relationships instead of escapist fantasy, songs, and melodrama.
3. Key filmmakers: Pioneers like Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, and Ritwik Ghatak led the movement with low-budget, highly artistic films.
4. Notable films: Landmark movies include 'Pather Panchali', 'Bhuvan Shome', and 'Ankur', which garnered international critical acclaim for Indian cinema.

Teacher's Note:
a) Contrast parallel cinema with mainstream commercial cinema.
b) Mention key directors and landmark films to substantiate the answer.

Question 7. Briefly discuss the role of the Central Board for Film Certification. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Statutory regulation: The CBFC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, regulating public film exhibitions under the Cinematograph Act.
2. Classification and certification: It examines films and issues appropriate age-based certificates ('U', 'UA', 'A', 'S') to guide audiences.
3. Censorship and cuts: It ensures that films do not contain content violating public order, decency, morality, or inciting violence and defamation.
4. Balancing freedom and responsibility: It aims to protect artistic expression while safeguarding societal values and communal harmony.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain that CBFC acts as both a certifying and a censoring authority in India.
b) Highlight the balance between creative freedom and social accountability.

Question 8. Elaborate upon any four benefits of media convergence. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Accessibility: Users can access news, entertainment, and educational content anytime and anywhere across multiple digital devices.
2. Interactivity: Audiences are no longer passive consumers; they can comment, share, and generate their own content, fostering two-way communication.
3. Cost-efficiency: Combining multiple media services (such as phone calls, internet browsing, and video streaming) into a single device reduces overall hardware and distribution costs.
4. Rich multimedia experience: Convergence integrates text, audio, high-definition video, and graphics into a single unified platform, enhancing user engagement.

Teacher's Note:
a) Define media convergence briefly before listing its practical advantages.
b) Provide clear headings for each of the four benefits.

SECTION C - 28 MARKS

Question 9. How is social media convergence different from political media convergence? Provide suitable examples for each. [7 Marks]

Answer:
1. Definition of Social Media Convergence: It refers to the merging of interpersonal communication networks, user-generated content, and social networking features into unified platforms where individuals connect, share, and interact globally.
2. Example of Social Media Convergence: Platforms like Instagram or Facebook combining photo sharing, instant messaging, live video streaming, and e-commerce into a single app.
3. Definition of Political Media Convergence: It involves the strategic integration of traditional media, digital platforms, social media, and data analytics by political entities to campaign, influence voters, and shape public policy.
4. Example of Political Media Convergence: Political parties using targeted Facebook advertisements, live-streamed rallies on YouTube, and official websites simultaneously during election campaigns to engage citizens.
5. Key Difference in Purpose: Social media convergence focuses primarily on community building, socializing, and personal expression, whereas political media convergence centers on political mobilization, vote acquisition, and ideological persuasion.

Teacher's Note:
a) Structure the answer by defining each type of convergence and providing distinct real-world examples.
b) Emphasize the difference in core objectives between personal social interactions and organized political campaigns.

Question 10

(i) Briefly explain how communication has led to social change. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Awareness creation: Communication channels spread information about social evils, human rights violations, and health practices, educating the masses.
2. Ideological shifts: Mass media challenges regressive societal norms, patriarchal structures, and superstitions by promoting progressive ideas.
3. Collective mobilization: Effective communication connects like-minded individuals, inspiring collective action and reform movements.

Teacher's Note:
a) Highlight the role of media as an instrument of enlightenment and social transformation.
b) Keep the explanation concise within three core points.

(ii) Give any two examples of social movements to support your answer. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. The Chipko Movement: Utilizing grassroots communication, folk songs, and interpersonal dialogue, villagers in Uttarakhand raised ecological awareness and protested against commercial deforestation by hugging trees.
2. The #MeToo Movement: Amplified globally through social media hashtags, survivors shared personal testimonies of sexual harassment, shattering institutional silence and triggering massive corporate and legal accountability worldwide.

Teacher's Note:
a) Choose prominent historical or contemporary movements that clearly demonstrate the power of communication.
b) Explain how communication facilitated the success of each movement.

Question 11

(i) Discuss the role and functions of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. [7 Marks]

Answer:
1. Establishment and Role: Established under the TRAI Act of 1997, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India regulates the telecommunications sector in India to protect consumer interests and promote fair competition.
2. Tariff regulation: It fixes and reviews tariffs for telecom services to ensure fair pricing and prevent monopolistic exploitation by service providers.
3. Quality of service standards: TRAI monitors and enforces rigorous quality-of-service benchmarks for mobile and internet operators to ensure reliable connectivity.
4. Promoting competition: It fosters a conducive environment for new service providers, encouraging market entry and technological innovation.
5. Dispute resolution: It resolves disputes between service providers and addresses policy recommendations regarding spectrum allocation to the government.

Teacher's Note:
a) Detail TRAI's statutory origins, tariff oversight, and quality control functions.
b) Use clear bullet points to cover all major responsibilities.

OR

(ii) How has low budget production processes aided India’s cinema industry? Explain the role of milk producers in India in the production of the film Manthan. [7 Marks]

Answer:
1. Impact of low budget production: Low-budget production democratized Indian cinema by encouraging risk-taking, independent storytelling, realistic content, and launching fresh talent without corporate financial pressure.
2. Rise of Parallel Cinema: It enabled directors to make critically acclaimed art films that focused on genuine societal issues rather than commercial box-office formulas.
3. Introduction to Manthan: Directed by Shyam Benegal, 'Manthan' (1976) was a landmark film set against the backdrop of the White Revolution in India.
4. Role of milk producers: The film was entirely funded through crowdfunding by half a million farmers affiliated with the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (AMUL), contributing two rupees each.
5. Significance: This unique cooperative financing model made the farmers co-producers of their own story, symbolizing grassroots empowerment and participatory cinema.

Teacher's Note:
a) Address both parts of the question: general benefits of low-budget films and the specific cooperative funding of 'Manthan'.
b) Highlight the historical significance of farmers pooling money to produce the movie.

Question 12. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
Geeta, a student of Fashion Designing, uploaded some of her designs on her college’s online forum. She wanted the feedback of her batchmates and seniors so that she could make necessary modifications in her designs. Initially, she received positive feedback and suggestions. Later, a few people sent personal messages to her criticising and insulting her designs. Geeta felt demotivated and began to lose confidence in herself.

(i) Briefly state any three negative impacts of cyber trolling. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Psychological distress: Victims experience anxiety, depression, loss of self-esteem, and emotional demotivation, as seen with Geeta.
2. Social withdrawal: Trolling often leads victims to isolate themselves, delete their accounts, and stop sharing their creative work online.
3. Reputational damage: Malicious comments can tarnish an individual's personal and professional reputation within academic or career circles.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ground the answer in both general cyber psychology and the specific context of the passage.
b) List three clear emotional and social impacts.

(ii) Explain any two ways in which the college authorities can enforce netiquettes to prevent cyber trolling. [4 Marks]

Answer:
1. Clear digital code of conduct: College authorities can establish strict guidelines and acceptable usage policies for online forums, explicitly prohibiting abusive language, insults, and harassment with clearly defined penalties.
2. Moderation and reporting mechanisms: Authorities can implement active moderation on college forums, allowing students to easily report toxic comments and enabling administrators to penalize or block offenders promptly.

Teacher's Note:
a) Focus on institutional measures such as policy formulation and active platform moderation.
b) Ensure both points directly address prevention of cyber trolling in a college environment.