Maharashtra Board Class 10 History Chapter 5 Mass Media and History PDF Download

5. Mass Media and History

5.1 Introduction To Mass Media

Mass Media contains two words. 'Mass' in this context means an aggregation of people. 'Media' means various modes of communication. Thus, mass media is a field of mass communication. We can easily send some information to a far away destination through a medium of communication. In the olden days, a crier would run in the streets beating drums and crying out important news according to the orders of the king. The news would spread among people by word of mouth.

Teacher's Note

In India, before newspapers came, kings would send news using criers and messengers on horses. Today we have instant news on our phones. This is how mass media has changed!

Exam Trick

Remember: Mass Media = Many people + Communication. Just like a loudspeaker reaches many people at once, mass media reaches millions at the same time.

Points to Remember

Mass media means sending information to many people at once.
In old days, a crier would beat drums to spread news.
News would spread by word of mouth from person to person.
Media is any way of communicating with people.

5.2 History Of Mass Media

Printing technology and newspapers were introduced in India after the arrival of the British. People started receiving printed news through newspapers. Newspapers became the first mass medium of circulating information and knowledge among people.

Newspaper is a publication, which mainly prints news, editorials, people's opinions, entertaining or other supplementary content. It is printed and distributed regularly at a definite time.

Newspapers provide various local, national and international news. Newspapers are historical documents, which record current events.

Precursors Of Newspapers

Before the beginning of the common era there was a custom in Egypt of placing inscriptions with royal decrees at public place. Emperor Asoka also resorted to similar method to reach out to his subjects.

In the Roman Empire, royal decrees were written on papers and those were distributed in all regions. They also contained the information of various events taking place in the nation and its capital. During Julius Caesar's reign newspapers known as Acta Diurna, meaning acts of everyday, used to be placed at public places in Rome. It was a very effective way of conveying royal commands to people.

In the 7th century C.E. royal dictates were distributed among people at public places. In England handouts used to be distributed occasionally, giving information about wars or important events. Travellers arriving from faraway would add spice to stories from those places and narrate it to local people. The ambassadors of a king posted at various places would send back important news to the royal court.

Teacher's Note

In ancient India, Emperor Asoka put his messages on stones and rocks so people could read them. This was like the newspapers of that time!

Exam Trick

Remember: Acta Diurna = Acts of Every Day. This was the first newspaper-like thing in Rome during Julius Caesar's time.

Points to Remember

Egypt placed royal messages at public places for people to see.
Emperor Asoka used similar methods to reach his subjects.
Rome had Acta Diurna which was like a newspaper.
Travellers would share stories and news with local people.
Kings sent ambassadors to bring news back from other places.

Bengal Gazette

The first English newspaper of India was printed on 29th January 1780. It was named as 'Calcutta General Advertiser' or 'Bengal Gazette'. It was started by James Augustus Hickey, an Irish gentleman.

Darpan

The newspaper 'Darpan' was started in 1832 in Mumbai. Balshastri Jambhekar was the editor of Darpan.

The news printed in Darpan can be reviewed to know about the political, economic, social and cultural events of those times. Here are a few news titles as examples:

The Accounts of Expenditure from the Three Administrative Divisions of the East India Company

The Danger of Russian Attack on the Nation

Appointment of a Committee for Cleanliness of the City

Remarriage of Hindu Widows

The Inception of Theatre at Calcutta

Achievements of Raja Ram Mohan Roy in England. Reporting of such news throws light on various historical events of those days.

Teacher's Note

Bengal Gazette was India's first English newspaper. Today we read newspapers online, but in 1780 it was printed on paper!

Exam Trick

Remember: Bengal Gazette = First English newspaper in India = Started by James Augustus Hickey in 1780. Just remember the number 1780!

Points to Remember

Bengal Gazette was the first English newspaper in India.
It was started on 29th January 1780.
James Augustus Hickey started this newspaper.
It was also called Calcutta General Advertiser.
Darpan was started in 1832 in Mumbai by Balshastri Jambhekar.

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